October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Curves continues to work to raise awareness in women about the life-saving importance of risk management, early detection and treatment. Throughout the month, Curves fitness clubs in the local community, including those listed below, are waiving the joining fee for new members who show proof of a mammogram within the past year or make a $25 donation to breast cancer research.
Among the Curves outlets participating in this campaign are the following:
Curves of Port Coquitlam, located at 1532 Prairie Avenue, 604-472-1025
Curves of Port Coquitlam, located at 2239-D McAllister Avenue, 604-944-1303
Curves of Port Moody, located at 2809 Spring St., 604-461-3300
Curves of Coquitlam, located at 1064 Austin Avenue, 604-931-1631
Curves of Coquitlam, located at 2764 Barnet Hwy. Unit #103, 604-468-8755
According to statistics from the Canadian Cancer Society, nearly 23,400 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, and average of 64 women every day. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women; one in nine can expect to be diagnosed with it and one in 29 will die of it.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, each participating Curves centre will help women learn the facts about breast cancer and the importance of early detection; encourage women to work out three times a week to help reduce their risk of developing breast cancer; participate in fund-raising efforts to support the research and outreach efforts of the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Since only about 5-10 percent of breast cancers are hereditary, prevention can play a key role in a woman's risk management strategy. Researchers recommend making lifestyle choices such as eating right, getting regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight to help a woman significantly reduce her risk of developing breast cancer.
"Curves mission has always been to strengthen women," said Curves Founder Diane Heavin. "Typically, women are caregivers, but when it comes to breast cancer, women need to understand how important it is to take care of themselves. Scheduling an annual doctor visit, performing a monthly breast self exam, eating a nutritious diet and making time for regular exercise are all things that a woman can do to stay strong and help reduce her chances of developing this devastating disease."
Early detection is the next line of defense, contributing to the current 88% 5-year survival rate statistic for all women diagnosed with the disease. Guidelines from the Canadian Cancer Society encourage women ages 40 to 49 to talk to their doctors about breast cancer, to weigh the risks and benefits of mammograms, and to consider having a Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) performed by a health professional once a year. Women ages 50 to 69 are encouraged to have a mammogram every two years. Women aged 70 or older should discuss mammograms and ongoing monitoring with their doctors.
"The good news is that the Canadian Cancer Society says that death rates from breast cancer have been declining in every age group since at least the mid 1980s," said Heavin. "Everyone at our local Curves fitness clubs are proud of the role we play in helping to educate women about breast cancer risk factors and the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and making their own health a priority. Our goal is to see breast cancer statistics continue to reflect the positive impact that education and awareness can have."
For more information about activities in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to learn how to exercise good breast health, please visit www.curves.com.
