Breast cancer awareness program receives grant for third year

Observer Staff

1/27/2004 12:00:00 AM

A $50,000 one-year grant has been awarded to the Michigan Inter-Tribal Council by the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund to increase awareness of the lifesaving benefits of early detection of breast cancer. It is the fourth year that the program has received Avon Foundation funding to support its work on this health issue.

The breast health program at the Michigan Inter-Tribal Council will educate Michigan's Tribal women and refer them to low-cost or free mammograms and clinical breast exams in their own communities. Unique culturally-specific education will be provided to Tribal women in three Michigan communities: the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa/Chippewa Indians and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Since October of 2000, the Michigan Inter-Tribal Breast Health Program has reached more than 3,400 women with information about the importance of early detection of breast cancer and has referred almost 2,100 women for mammograms and clinical breast exams.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the United States and the leading single cause of death overall in women between the ages of 40 and 55. Thirty to 40 percent of breast cancer deaths could be prevented if all women practices the three early detection steps: the American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms beginning at age 40; annual clinical breast exams beginning at age 20; and monthly breast self-examinations beginning at age 20. According to the ACS, the majority of women who don't comply with these guidelines are generally poor and under served women.

"Many factors, ranging from fear to lack of a health care provider's recommendation, keep women from practicing good breast health," said Noel Pingatore, health education program manager for Michigan Inter-Tribal Council. "There is a tremendous need to reach women with appropriate information and resources. We are grateful Avon shares this mission and has chosen to support our program."

Avon has funded more than 800 community-based programs across the United States during the last 10 years, including the Breast Health Program at Michigan Inter-Tribal. These programs are dedicated to educating under served women about breast cancer and linking them with early detection screening services.