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For Immediate Release: October 1, 2006	Contact: Brian Reardon
	(217) 544-6464, ext. 44306

St. John’s Hospital, American Cancer Society raise awareness about breast cancer

Real Men Wear Pink campaign among activities planned for October

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to encourage women 40 years of age and older to undergo an annual mammogram, Carol Jo Vecchie Women’s Services at St. John’s Hospital and the American Cancer Society are teaming up with other community partners during October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month to remind the public about the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

Men are being asked to help spread the word about early detection by wearing pink attire on Friday, October 13.  The “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign is designed to encourage men to remind the women in their lives to get their annual mammograms.  In addition, staff from St. John’s and the Society will be distributing information on mammography and self-exams to businesses and at events throughout the month.

One out of every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.  According to the American Cancer Society, early detection of breast cancer saves thousands of lives each year.  

“By encouraging women to undergo screening exams, such as mammograms, we’re more likely to find cancers before they start to cause symptoms.  This is important because once symptoms of breast cancer start to appear, they tend to be larger and are more likely to have already spread beyond the breast,” said Dr. Ted Gleason, a radiologist at St. John's Hospital.

Many women are reluctant to have the exam performed annually because of such factors as fear of the unknown, time constraints and some discomfort associated with mammograms.  St. John’s and the American Cancer Society will be working with different community partners during October to help raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

They include: 

• Midwest Family Broadcasting will be selling “Real Men Wear Pink” golf shirts to raise money for breast cancer support services at its downtown studio on Fifth Street each Wednesday during the month.
• Jim Herron Ltd. is selling ties with pink colors or patterns for half price during October to encourage participation in the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign.
• The Lincoln Land Community College Women’s Volleyball team is donating all proceeds from its October 11th game against Lincoln College to support breast cancer support services.  The team will play in pink uniforms.  General admission is $3, or $2 for students and fans dressed in pink attire.

St. John’s and the American Cancer Society staff will be providing free giveaways and information on early detection of breast cancer at the following events in October: 

• Old Capitol Farmers ’ Market presented by St. John’s Hospital, each Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon, St. John’s tent, 4th and Adams.
• Kathy LaTour, senior editor of CURE magazine, discusses breast cancer survivorship on October 16, at 6 p.m. in Conference Room A, St. John’s Hospital.  Call Diana Weyhenmeyer to register at 544-6464 ext. 45591.
• Breast Cancer Lunch and Learn, noon, Friday, October 20 in St. John’s Centennial Hall.  Lunch is free but participants are asked to register by October 16 by calling Mindy at 544-6464 ext. 45792.
• Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular at the Rees Memorial Carillon on October 20 – 21.

For a complete calendar of events and more information about the mammography program and Carol Jo Vecchie Women’s Services at St. John’s Hospital, please visit www.caroljowomen.org.  For more information about the American Cancer Society, please visit www.cancer.org.