MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930, mebrady@co.pg.md.us
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| The Washington Redskins Cheerleaders join the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department in raising Breast Cancer Awareness. Photo by Rick Brady @RickBradyPhotography, Special Courtesy to PGFD. |
The Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department is partnering with the County Health Department, the Washington Redskins and their Cheerleaders to encourage screening for Breast Cancer. Every person can take part in this important work by reminding all of the women in their lives about the importance of regular breast screenings.
“Early screening and
diagnosis is critical in the treatment of breast cancer,” said Prince George's
County Health Officer Pamela Creekmur. “We encourage all women over age 40 to
receive a clinical breast exam and to discuss their breast health with their
primary health care provider. Women 40 and above are additionally
encouraged to have annual or biannual mammograms as directed by their healthcare
provider. ”
"We are proud to join
our community partners by 'Thinking Pink' and promoting 'A Critical Catch' to
raise awareness that early screening for breast cancer can save lives,"
stated Prince George's County Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor. "Our job is to
save lives by preventing fires, injuries and illnesses before they occur.
Monthly self examination is as important as checking your smoke alarm
every month, both tasks save lives."
The Fire/EMS Department has joined the Washington Redskins
with providing health tips and resources to distributing breast cancer
awareness ribbons. Firefighter/Medics wearing pink work shirts and riding
pink fire trucks have joined the burgundy and gold to help get fans to think
pink so we can tackle this deadly disease. Every October, the Washington
Redskins designate one game as the official breast cancer awareness game. Fans
attending the game are welcomed by Tanya Snyder, wife of Redskins owner Daniel
Snyder and WOW founder, and hundreds of Zeta Tau Alpha members who distribute
more than 60,000 THINK-PINK!® ribbons and breast cancer awareness educational
materials each year. The breast cancer awareness game features game balls with
pink ribbon decals, on-field pink ribbon stencils and pink goal posts, as well
as pink equipment for players including cleats, wristbands, gloves, sideline
caps, helmet decals, chin straps, sideline towels and more.
Mrs. Snyder and ZTA started the campaign for breast cancer
awareness in 1999. With the founding and continuous support of Mrs. Snyder and
the Washington Redskins, ZTA created a national model for its THINK-PINK!®
breast cancer awareness and education campaign throughout the NFL.
WOW is
dedicated to becoming a breast cancer resource and support group for women in
the Washington, D.C., area. By raising awareness, providing resources and
stressing the importance of annual screenings, WOW hopes to tackle breast
cancer one screening at a time.
Approximately 4,700 women in
Maryland will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. An estimated 810
women will die because of the disease in 2012. A crucial key to lowering
these numbers is through regular breast cancer screenings and early
recognition. Research shows that at least 30% of these breast cancer
deaths could be prevented if breast cancer screening guidelines are
followed. Though uncommon, men can get breast cancer and should be aware
of the risk factors and screening guidelines.
Screenings for breast cancer
include simple tests such as clinical breast exams and mammograms. A
clinical breast exam is performed by a doctor and can find breast cancer at an
early stage when it can best be treated. A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray
picture of the breast. The X-ray pictures can show cancer that is too
small for the doctor to feel.
In honor of Breast Cancer
Awareness Month, the Prince George’s County Health Department wants all
residents to remind the women in their lives of the following screening
recommendations:
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Ages
20-39
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Ages
40 and older
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Mammogram
(x-ray of breasts)
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Every 1–2 years. Discuss
with your doctor or nurse.
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Clinical
breast exam
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At least every 3 years
starting in your 20s
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Yearly
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The Prince George’s County
Health Department offers clinical breast exam and mammogram screenings for
eligible women over the age of 40 who may not be able to afford them.
Join the fight against breast cancer by teaming up with the the
Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department, Washington Redskins and the County
Health Department!
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| The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department PINK Pumper. Photo by Rick Brady @RickBradyPhotography, Special Courtesy to PGFD. |
Make the
crucial catch by using the following health tips to detect breast cancer
early:
- Begin monthly breast self-examinations by age 20
- Receive a
clinical breast exam every three years starting at age 20
- Schedule
mammograms and clinical breast exams each year beginning at age 40
Early
detection through annual breast cancer screenings and mammograms is often the
best defense against breast cancer.
For more information contact
the Prince George’s County Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) at
301-883-3525.
More information is
available via the following link: http://www.breasthealthinc.org/bhi/
WOW - Washington
Redskins: http://www.wowredskins.com/map/
Prince George’s County
Health Department, Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP):
Other breast cancer
awareness resources: http://www.breasthealthinc.org/bhi/
Breast Health, Inc. http://www.breasthealthinc.org/bhi/
All Shades of Pink,
Inc. http://www.asopinc.org/html/home.html
Center for Comprehensive
Breast Care at Doctors Community Hospital, 301 552-8524
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