District 15 Zontians
Support & Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness
Breast Cancer Awareness Websites
http://www.breastcancer.org
http://www.cancer.org
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
www.komen.org
www.nationalbreast.org
Breast Cancer Pillows: Contact Darci Clapp to purchase breast cancer comfort pillow pattern & instructions
Detection
The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chances for successful treatment. A mammogram can often show breast changes that may be cancer before physical symptoms develop; however, some cancers that are not seen on a mammogram may still be felt by a woman or her health care provider. For this reason, the American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines for finding breast cancer early:
• Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.
• Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) by a health professional at least every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a CBE every year.
. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change to a health care provider right away. Breast self-examination (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
Suzanne Antisdel, Age 82
I am not interested in joining Zonta although I admire all the work you do. But I write because I am grateful for the pillow that one of you made and sent to Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
I recently underwent a mastectomy, and several weeks before surgery, the surgeon's nurse gave me a kit of a number of items, including your pillow. Under all the stress, I completely forgot what she said it was for, but I tucked it away in a closet. A few days after I came home from having the mastectomy I found it again, and realized that yes, indeed, it would just do the trick of making me much more comfotable as I lay reading or trying to get to sleep.
So thank you Zontians 15. I'd like you to know that you now know someone who has used it, appreciates the detailed work that went into it (I'm a sewer), and am thankful for email and a chance to let you know all this!
P.S. My cancer is stage 0, so I can put all this behind me and get on with my life!
Breast Cancer Survivor, Les Algren
Les is Reach to Recovery - Mi. Volunteer Coordinator
The American Cancer Society had lots of pillows to show our 'Reach to Recovery' group one night. We began giving them out and then heard the response about how wonderful they are after breast surgery. I didn't get my pillow till a few years after my breast surgery, but it's been loaned to several friends. Just like kids give names to their stuffed animals, my pillow is name "Zonta". The light stuffing is absolutely perfect for putting under the arm and relieving the pressure caused by swelling tissue in the breast area as well as the underarm. Everyone that uses the pillow is amazed how such a fluffly little pillow can make such a big difference and the strap is most handy for walking around.
Although we can't say they are from the American Cancer Society, we say the pillow comes from us but it was made by Zonta. Not only are the pillows good for after the breast surgery, but I've had two shoulder surgeries and used my little Zonta pillow both times. It's such a valuable pillow I won't give mine away. I hope you always consider this a worthy project - because it is!
Breast Cancer Hotline
1-800-221-2141
Breast Cancer in the U.S.
2011 Estimates
* New Cases: women, 230,480;
men, 2,140
* Deaths: women, 39,520 men; 450
* 5-year relative survival rate for localized stage: 98%
* 5-year relative survival rate for all stages combined: 89%
