Some face extra challenges in breast cancer battle

October is breast cancer awareness month, and those who will be wearing pink are not just trying to make a fashion statement.

Breast cancer is a serious issue across the world, especially among women. According to the American Cancer Society, research estimates that more than 40,000 women will die from breast cancer this year in the United States alone. There will also be an estimated 300,000 new breast cancer diagnoses in women.

Studies from the ACS show that in Arkansas, approximately 108 out of every 100,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 22 of them will die from it. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t positive options to fight back. Arkansas ranks last among the 50 states in diagnosis rate, and medical advances have made a big impact in the fight against the disease.

The 5-year breast cancer mortality rate in early stage diagnosis has decreased nationally by approximately 37 percent since 1990, avoiding an estimation of more than 250,000 deaths. This decline in mortality is due to improved breast cancer treatment and early detection. Organizations such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation have taken great steps in spreading awareness about the disease and promoting access to quality breast health care.

“We believe it is vital for us to help women learn more about breast health and the resources that exist whether they have insurance or not,” Ozark Affiliate Executive Director Lauren Marquette said. “We have English and Spanish educational outreach programs in both Arkansas and Missouri that teach women about a number of issues such as where to go to access breast health services, resources to help with barriers to care like not having insurance, child care or financial issues and knowing what happens before, during and after a cancer diagnosis.”

Marquette emphasized that while the Foundation is a national organization, the money that the Ozark chapter raises does go back into the local community.

“The Ozark Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation started in 1998,

and since then the local organization has awarded nearly $10 million in funding to local hospitals, organizations and agencies and nearly $ 3 million to fund breast cancer research,” Marquette said. “The important thing for people to keep in mind is that the money we raise stays here and benefits local women. We complete a community profile every 3-5 years where we review quantitative data, conduct focus groups and interviews and assess the health access to local women. This is vital for Komen Ozark to make the most impact in our local community with our funding.”

participationfamilies,The Ozark companiesof Affiliate community partners, and corporaterelies on the sponsors to fund breast health services in the local community. Participation can be through Komen Ozark events, 3rd party events, and individual fund raising. Recently at a 3rd party event, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals hosted the annual “Pink in the Park” baseball game at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale to honor survivors and promote breast cancer awareness. Komen Ozark also partnered with the University of Arkansas football coaching staff for the 3rd Annual “Football 101” class and were the recipients of the “Tees for Tatas” golf