News from Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb
Assembly Office:
933 Legislative Office Building • Albany, NY 12248 • (518) 455-3751
District Offices:
607 West Washington Street • Suite 2 • Geneva, NY 14456 • (315) 781-2030
E-mail:

For Release: IMMEDIATELY, September 7, 2012
Contact: Doug Finch (315) 781-2030
October Is "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month" - Let's Stand Together Against Breast Cancer
Legislative column from Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua)

Since 1985, "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month" (NBCAM) has been a collective effort organized by breast cancer charities to raise awareness about this disease and provide support and information to individuals - and their families - who are afflicted with breast cancer. NBCAM is a great opportunity to remind the important women in our lives to talk with their doctors about scheduling a mammogram. A mammogram is a critical life-saving tool that can lead to the early identification of breast cancer.

THERE ARE FAR TOO MANY BREAST CANCER CASES

Did you know that only lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths in women than breast cancer? According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 230,480 new cases of breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed last year and approximately 2,140 new cases were expected to be found in men. The ACS also forecasts an estimated 39,520 breast cancer deaths among women and 450 among men in 2011.

This year I was proud to stand in unity with my fellow legislators and support legislation which would require women to receive written notification if a mammogram detects dense breast tissue. This could potentially be life-saving legislation as women with dense breast tissue may require additional screening to ensure there are no tumors present.

ADELPHI NY STATEWIDE BREAST CANCER HOTLINE & SUPPORT PROGRAM

This October, I am honored to once again promote the availability of the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program which is helping us win the fight against breast cancer. Since 1980, this program is the first initiative in our state to exclusively address the psychosocial issues associated with breast cancer. It is also the only comprehensive, university-based breast cancer-counseling program in New York staffed by certified social workers offering diversified support groups, as well as individual and family counseling. The entire program's informational and referral services are provided free of charge.

If you need information, or just need someone to talk to, the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer hotline - 1-800-877-8077 - is available seven days a week and answers nearly 4,000 calls each year. Callers can speak with specially trained, professionally supervised volunteers, many of whom have had breast cancer themselves, for information, referrals and emotional support.

In addition to the program's hotline, there is also information online at the Adelphi Web site. Women can find information, a glossary of key terminology, a calendar of events and forums, support groups and important questions to ask health care providers.

MEN AGAINST BREAST CANCER

Breast cancer also affects the families of patients. Sometimes, as a loved one, it is difficult to know how to help. "Men Against Breast Cancer (MABC) is the first national non-profit organization designed to provide to provide targeted support services to educate and empower men to be effective caregivers when breast cancer strikes a female loved one; as well as, target and mobilize men to be active participants in the fight to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease."

For more information and educational materials on how to provide care for a woman in your life who has breast cancer, go to their Web site.

OCTOBER IS THE MONTH TO SCHEDULE A MAMMOGRAM

Recognizing October as "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month" provides the perfect opportunity to encourage women to take the time to schedule a mammogram today. This test is an important first line of defense and the good news is that 95 percent of all mammograms prove to be normal, which can provide the entire family peace of mind.

This month provides many events and activities to stand together - as a family, a community, a country - in the fight against breast cancer. Together we can continue to make critical advances in raising awareness and finding a cure for breast cancer once and for all.

As always, constituents wishing to discuss this topic or any other state-related matter should contact my district office at (315) 781-2030 or e-mail me at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us.