Until Science Improves, Current Screening Recommendations Should Remain.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world’s leading breast cancer advocacy organization, has carefully reviewed the data and new recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concerning mammography screening. Komen for the Cure issued the following statement from Eric P. Winer, M.D., chief scientific advisor and chair of Komen’s Scientific Advisory Board.

“Susan G. Komen for the Cure wants to eliminate any impediments to regular mammography screening for women age 40 and older. While there is no question that mammograms save lives for women over 50 and women 40–49, there is enough uncertainty about the age at which mammography should begin and the frequency of screening that we would not want to see a change in policy for screening mammography at this time. Komen’s current screening guidelines can be found at www.komen.org and would not be changed without serious consideration.” 

Click here to read the full Susan G. Komen for the Cure screening statement.

Sylvania resident Joyce Aughenbaugh represented the Northwest Ohio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure at the Global Race for the Cure on Saturday, June 6 in Washington D.C. There were a total of 45,000 runners and walkers in attendance. The event raised $4.3 million to fund breast cancer programs for the medically underserved and support research to end breast cancer.

Out of 312 female runners in the 50-54 age bracket, Aughenbaugh placed second with a time of 23:13. Out of 238 survivor runners, she placed 8th. Of the top eight survivors, three were men, and four were in their 20s. Out of 5,608 female runners of all ages, she tied for 60th place.

During a self breast exam in 2006, Aughenbaugh found a lump and immediately made an appointment with her doctor. She was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer and decided to undergo a bilateral mastectomy.  She now stresses the importance of being your own advocate. “Women need to feel comfortable enough in their own skin to know when something is wrong," said Aughenbaugh, "Self exams can save your life. Listen to your intuition and don’t wait to see the doctor."

Aughenbaugh participated in the Northwest Ohio Komen Race for the Cure for five years before her diagnosis. She never expected to be running for herself, but now she feels a sense of empowerment.  "It’s important for me to run for those who can’t run. I want to share that feeling of victory with every survivor," said Aughenbaugh.

Community Profile Guides Strategic Direction for Northwest Ohio Affiliate

The Northwest Ohio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is pleased to share a brief overview of our recently completed 2009 Community Profile. This comprehensive assessment is completed every two years in order to understand the state of breast cancer in our 24 county service area.

“The Community Profile provides our Northwest Ohio Affiliate with a comprehensive and collaborative report that assesses the state of breast cancer at the local level, establishes priorities for improving health throughout our service area, and serves as a guide toward making effective grants,” explained Board President Cindy Taylor.

The 2009 Community Profile, directed by Timothy Jordan, Ph.D., M.Ed., and Amy Thompson, Ph.D., M.Ed. of the University of Toledo, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, offers a detailed look at breast cancer statistics in our service area, existing programs and services, and considers information gathered from breast cancer survivors and physicians.

A few of the highlights include:

• The breast cancer incidence rate for Northwest Ohio is higher than that of other regions in Ohio and the United States.
• Putnam and Defiance Counties have the highest breast cancer mortality rates of all counties in our 24 county service area.
• Erie, Logan, Hardin, Wyandot and Crawford have the highest incidence rate.
• Hardin County has the highest incidence of women over age 40 not screened I the last year.

The Community Profile is used to drive the Northwest Ohio Affiliate’s strategic direction moving forward.  Some clear messages and action steps that resulted from this comprehensive analysis follow:

• Increase the availability and accessibility of support services for breast cancer patients, survivors, and the loved ones and family members of patients/survivors.
• Improve communication with health care providers, health care institutions, associated agencies and organizations, breast cancer patients, and breast cancer survivors.
• Build bridges of collaboration to minority populations and organizations that serve minority populations.
• Improve outreach and build more partnerships within our 24 county service area.

Click here to review a complete copy of the 2009 Community Profile. 

In tough economic times, it's more important than ever to be telling the story of Susan G. Komen®'s amazing impact on breast cancer, on our communities, on research and in countries all around the world. To help all of us do that, we've developed a Global Mission Impact document, with facts and figures we all need to tell our story in compelling ways. This is an easy reference guide to the facts about the research breakthroughs we've helped fund, the awareness and education efforts that are saving lives, our positive impacts on communities, our advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and our outreach to save lives in developing countries all around the world.

Download the Global Impact Fact Sheet here.