Putting Women First

NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

2 Wednesday, October 6, 2010 The Southern Illinoisan

Making A Difference in LivesCome in and purchase this

collectible Hallmark ornament and aportion of the sale will be donated to

Breast Cancer Research

Ganz bear or frame makeexcellent remembrance gifts

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The Southern Illinoisan (USPS 258-980) ispublished daily for $178 per year at 710 N. IllinoisAve., Carbondale, IL 62901. The Southern Illinoisanis owned by Lee Enterprises, Inc. of Davenport, Iowa.

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Don’t let fear stop you:

GetHere from the American

Cancer Society’s regionaloffice in Marion are somethings you need to knowabout breast cancer:

Breast cancer in Illinois� An estimated 8,770

women will be diagnosedwith breast cancer in 2010� About 1,790 women

will die of breast cancer in2010

Breast Cancer in the United States� An estimated 207,090

new cases of invasivebreast cancer are expectedto be diagnosed in womenin the United Statesduring 2010.� About 1,970 men in

the United States will bediagnosed with breastcancer in 2010.� Breast cancer is the

most frequentlydiagnosed non-skincancer in women.� An estimated 40,230

breast cancer deaths(39,840 women and 390men) are expected in2010.� Breast cancer ranks

second among cancerdeaths in women (afterlung cancer).� The five-year survival

We’ve got a lot more information for you! Go to wwwwww..tthheessoouutthheerrnn..ccoomm//lliiffeessttyylleess//mmiinnddbbooddyy and look for Breast Cancer Awareness in the story list.

thefacts

A World of CaringOctober 15 & 16 2010

Reception & Silent AuctionFriday, October 15, 5:30pm @ Walker’s BluffOpen to the public, everyone welcome!

5k Run/WalkSaturday, October 16, 8:00am @ World of FitnessProceeds from 5k and Silent Auction to benefit:American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Run begins 8am, walk begins 8:01am

Registration available at World of Fitness or online atwww.worldoffitnessherrin.com

1207 Weaver Rd • Herrin618-988-8878

The Southern Illinoisan Wednesday, October 6, 2010 3

Separating empathy andsympathy plays a vital role inworking with cancerpatients.

That’s a philosophy MarianWright-Cavitt of Carbondalewon’t relent on. Owner ofBeautiful Hair Salon onWalnut Street inMurphysboro, she has alsohelped bring the AmericanCancer Society’s Look Good,Feel Better program towomen in Southern Illinois.

“You’ve got to be able tohave empathy, notsympathy,” she said. “Havingempathy, you’re helping.Having sympathy, you’re sobusy crying that you’remaking everyone cry, so whoare you really helping?”

A national program, LookGood, Feel Better teacheswomen about cosmetologyand finding beauty whileundergoing chemotherapyand battling cancer.

Volunteers leadparticipants through hands-on experiences and teachthem about make-up, skinand nail care and ways to dealwith hair loss.

A number of nationalorganizations have signed onto the program as partners inrecent years and donatesupplies, such as top-of-the-line wigs.

“We don’t try to makethem feel different,” Wright-Cavitt said. “We want themto know they’re the sameperson as before.”

Wright-Cavitt said shefirst learned about the

program while living in theQuad Cities area, where sheattended cosmetologyschool. Shortly after, shemoved back to SouthernIllinois and opened her shopin Murphysboro, where she’dbeen raised as a child.

One day, in about 2002, theAmerican Cancer Societycontacted her about trying tolaunch the program in theregion. Initial reaction wasn’toverwhelming, but as wordhas spread, the program hasgrown locally and now offersprogramming in Carbondale,Murphysboro, Harrisburg,Mount Vernon, Chester andelsewhere.

“People are really gettinginto it,” Wright-Cavitt said.

[email protected]

rate for breast cancer is 98 percent among individualswhose cancer has not spreadbeyond the breast at the timeof diagnosis.

Risk factorsBeing female and

increasing age are the mostimportant risk factors forbreast cancer.

Other important factorsthat increase include certaininherited genetic mutations(BRCA1 and BRCA2), apersonal or family history ofbreast cancer, high breast-tissue density as seen onmammograms, biopsy-confirmed hyperplasia, and ahistory of high-doseradiation therapy to thechest.

Other risk factors include along menstrual history, beingoverweight or becomingobese after menopause,recent use of oralcontraceptives, use ofpostmenopausal hormonetherapy, never havingchildren or having one’s firstchild after 30, consumptionof one or more alcoholicbeverages per day, and beingphysically inactive.

Staying wellMammography can identify

breast cancer at an earlystage, usually before physicalsymptoms develop when thedisease is most treatable.Yearly mammograms arerecommended starting at age40 and continuing for as longas a woman is in good health.

Breast cancer cannot beprevented, which is whyregular mammograms are soimportant. There are thingswomen can do to choose toput their health first andlower their risk of developingbreast cancer. Women’s bestoverall preventive healthstrategies are to:� Maintain a healthy body

weight� Engage in regular

physical activity� Reduce alcohol

consumption

ADAM TESTA / THE SOUTHERNMarian Wright-Cavitt of Carbondale worksas a volunteer with the American CancerSociety's Look Good, Feel Better program.She owns Beautiful Hair Salon inMurphysboro and was instrumental ingetting the program started in SouthernIllinois.

As the nation marks theannual National Breast CancerAwareness Month this October,the American Cancer Society isencouraging women to chooseto put their personal breasthealth first to stay well andreduce their risk of breastcancer.

The society is remindingwomen 40 and older about theimportance of getting amammogram and clinical breastexam every year to find breastcancer in its earliest, mosttreatable stage. In addition, thesociety recommends thatwomen ages 20 to 39 receive aclinical breast exam once every

three years. The AmericanCancer Society alsorecommends magneticresonance imaging (MRI) forcertain women at high risk.Women at moderate risk shouldtalk with their doctors aboutthe benefits and limitations ofadding MRI screening to theiryearly mammogram.

While mammography is notperfect, getting a high-qualitymammogram is currently themost effective way to detectcancer early because it canidentify breast cancer beforephysical symptoms develop,when the disease is mosttreatable. Early-stage breastcancer typically produces nosymptoms when the tumor issmall and most treatable, so it is

important that women followrecommended guidelines forfinding breast cancer beforesymptoms develop.

On average, mammographywill detect about 80 to 90percent of breast cancers inwomen without symptoms.Breast cancer survival rates aresignificantly higher when thecancer has not spread.

“As the official sponsor ofbirthdays, the American CancerSociety wants women to see thereal tangible benefits ofchoosing to put their healthfirst,” said Peggy Altmix, a

Making Strides Against BreastCancer volunteer.

Women can reduce their riskof breast cancer by takingadditional steps to stay well bymaintaining a healthy weight,eating a well-balanced diet andengaging in physical activity 45to 60 minutes on five or moredays of the week. Also, limitingalcohol consumption canreduce breast cancer risk — oneor more alcoholic beverages aday may increase risk.

Another way the American

American Cancer Society encourages women to put their health first

SEE WOMEN / PAGE 4

BY ADAM TESTATHE SOUTHERN

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETYFOR THE SOUTHERN

OOccttoobbeerr iiss NNaattiioonnaall BBrreeaasstt CCaanncceerr AAwwaarreenneessss MMoonntthh:: To learn more, contact the local American Cancer Society

office in Marion by calling 618-998-9898, option 3.

Look Good, Feel BetterMurphysboro salon owner brings

national program to Southern Illinois



Life after diagnosis isnever the same for breastcancer patients and theirfamilies, but SouthernIllinois healthcareprofessionals areworking every day toturn more patients intosurvivors.

Billie Jo Corn, licensedpractical nurse atHeartland Oncology andHematology Care inMarion, sees two to fournew breast cancerpatients every monthand goes out of her wayto make sure patients getthe care they need.

“We are always readilyavailable for our

patients, because theycome first,” Corn said.“I love my patients, andI treat them like they’remy family.”

The nurses are on call24 hours a day to assistpatients with theirmedications ortreatments. Duringregular office hours,nurses like Corn providechemotherapy andrelated medicines tocancer patients, followup with patients’radiology reports andinform patients aboutsupport programsoffered through theAmerican CancerSociety.

Chemotherapy, shesaid, can be afrightening experiencefor a first-time chemopatient, particularly forwomen who areemotionally distressedover losing their hair. Alot of the fear, she said,can be based on commonmisconceptions.

“They hear horrorstories from otherpatients or familymembers of patients whogot chemo years andyears ago, so everybodythinks they’re going to bedeathly sick, and that is atotal misconception,” shesaid. “We try to controltheir pain and makeeverything as easy as wecan.”

Treatment for breastcancer can vary from oralagents to intravenousmedications, dependingon the stage of thecancer’s development.Corn said it’s importantfor women to checkthemselves for breastlumps monthly in orderto find cancer in itsearliest possible stage.

“We’ve had a couple(patients) that wouldn’tbe in a more advancedstage had they hadmammograms sooner,”she said. “It’s veryimportant that if theyfeel there’s a problem,that they be consistent ingetting things checkedout.”

Age is hardly a factoranymore in breast cancerdiagnosis, she said, aspatients seem to begetting younger all thetime. Women in theirlate 20s and early 30shave recently beendiagnosed.

Working with cancerpatients is not always theeasiest job, Corn said,but she loves it all thesame.

“I just really honestlylove my patients,” she

said. “It is hardsometimes, because, forsome patients withadvanced cancer, the endresult can be death, butjust getting to meet themand be a part of theirlives and their family’slives as well…it’s just arewarding job.”

If Corn has advice forbreast cancer patients, itis to keep a positiveattitude, as recovery isjust as much aboutmental preparedness asit is about effectivetreatments.

“Keep a positiveattitude and fight andyou can survive it,” shesaid. “We have lots ofsurvivors; don’t ever giveup and don’t give in.”

[email protected]

Been diagnosed? Lots of help is available locally

TOM BARKER / THE SOUTHERNBillie Jo Corn, a licensed practical nurse at HeartlandOncology and Hematology Care in Marion, checks vitals forchemotherapy patient Vinnie Murphy of Marion.


Cancer Society is helpingcreate more birthdays is tohelp women manage theirbreast cancer experiencewhen and if they arediagnosed. The societyoffers newly diagnosedwomen and those livingwith breast cancerprograms and services tohelp them get well.

In addition, theAmerican Cancer Societyhas a long history ofcommitment to findingcures for breast cancer.The society has investedmore than $418.7 millionin breast cancer researchgrants since 1971, and hasbeen an important part ofnearly every major breastcancer researchbreakthrough of the pastcentury.

The American CancerSociety and its affiliateadvocacy organization, theAmerican Cancer SocietyCancer Action NetworkSM

continue to fight backagainst breast cancer byengaging in activities toincrease funding for theNational Breast andCervical Cancer EarlyDetection Program, whichprovides low-income,uninsured andunderinsured womenaccess to mammograms,Pap tests, follow-up careand treatment. Currentfunding only enables theprogram to serve less erthan one in five eligiblewomen ages 50 to 64nationwide.

To get involved or tolearn more about fundingneeds, visit www.acscan.org/ breastcancer.

WOMEN: Put their health firstFROM PAGE 3

BY TOM BARKERTHE SOUTHERN

Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer

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A portion of each sale in October will be donated toPat’s Kids or the Breast Center in Carbondale.

Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer

When Franklin Countyresident BrendaSteinmetz began herfrightening ordeal forbreast cancer treatmentfour years earlier, herphysician at BarnesJewish Hospital in St.Louis told her somethingthat struck a responsivechord in a hurry.

“He said, ‘The reasonyou are afraid like otherwomen is you don’t knowwhat’s going on,’”Steinmetz said.

Steinmetz knows what’sgoing on in a big waytoday. She has read,listened and learned all

she canabout herparticularcancers. Shehasvolunteeredfor all trialclinicalstudies at

the hospital, and nowshe’s ready to embarkupon a new and excitingsupport system.

Steinmetz is helpingcoordinate and willparticipate in the MakingStrides Against BreastCancer 5K Walk inCarbondale later thismonth.

“This is my very firstwalk. I’ve wanted to geton relays for a long time.

This is the first time thiswalk has been conductedin Southern Illinois,”Steinmetz said about theevent that raises fundsfor the American CancerSociety which iseventually channeledinto cancer research.

In addition to chairingher team, The B Team,which numbers 20participants currently,Steinmetz will be incharge of the BreastCancer SurvivorsCaregiver Tent, whereparticipants register andreceive lapel pins andHawaiian Leis.



Route 13 Carterville985-88331

Hours: Mon-FFri 9-66 • Sat 9-44

“More than just a jewelry store.”

“Breast CancerAwareness”

14K Pink GoldDiamondEarrings

$295

Steinmetz

THE WALKWhat: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

5K WalkWhen: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23

Where: Evergreen Park off Pleasant Hill Road,take U.S. 51 south to Pleasant Hill Road, turnright; the park is on the left

BY SCOTT FITZGERALDTHE SOUTHERN

Taking the first step: Event emphasizes education, support

SEE STEP / PAGE 7



Education is key forbreast cancer survivorslooking at their post-surgical options.

Many women whoundergo mastectomies orpartial mastectomieschoose reconstructivesurgery, which usesimplants or body tissue toreconstruct the breast, orprosthetic devices to helprebuild their lives.

“It really is a personalchoice. Women need tolearn about the differentprocedures and discusswhich options are best for

them,” Dr. Aisha Whitesaid. “Most of the womenwho come to see meabout reconstruction arepretty savvy but they stillhave questions.”

White, a plastic surgeonwho performs surgeries atMemorial Hospital ofCarbondale and St.Joseph Memorial Hospitalin Murphysboro, doesboth immediate anddelayed breastreconstructive surgeries.

For immediatereconstructions, White, aSouthern IllinoisHealthcare CancerInstitute-affiliatedphysician, works

alongside a breast surgeonso that patients havebreast removal andreconstruction during thesame procedure.

Other women opt towait for reconstruction,she said.

“That’s one of thebiggest myths, I think.People think if they don’thave reconstructionimmediately, it is nolonger an option, but thatis not true. Any optionthat is available at thetime of an initialmastectomy orlumpectomy is stillavailable down the line,”White said.

Some women may notwant to make the decisionimmediately.

“It’s really about howthe person feels. Breastreconstruction is not life-

saving. It’s mostly forpsychological reasons, butthose are very important

You can rebuild your life and your bodywith post-surgical options

PROVIDED BY SOUTHERNILLINOIS HEALTHCARE

Donna Crow (right) withpatient and colleague MarciaMatthias.

PROVIDED BY SOUTHERNILLINOIS HEALTHCARE

Dr. Aisha White, plastic andreconstructive surgeon doesimmediate and delayedreconstructive surgeries.

CHUCK NOVARA / THE SOUTHERN

Lisa Lynch talks about thenew advances in prostheticsthat are available for womenwho don't want to undergomore surgery.

BY BECKY MALKOVICHTHE SOUTHERN



reasons. It may make someone feelbetter or more whole. They may notwant to have that constant reminder,”she said.

Breast or partial breast removal canaffect more than a woman’s health,White said.

“For so many, the breast is tied topersonal identity, sexual identity,femininity,” she said. “Getting themback to a place where they feel wholeand good again, where their confidenceis restored, is rewarding. This is one ofthe things I do that I am passionateabout.

It is really cool when you can dosomething you know makes a significantimpact on someone’s life.”

Donna Crow is a breast health patientnavigator with the SIH Cancer Institute.

“It really comes down to what youwant. There are a lot of factors toconsider so you really have to talk to theplastic surgeon about what is best foryou,” she said.

Reconstructive surgery can help inmany ways, she said, such as with awoman’s balance and posture, but thebiggest benefit is to self-esteem.

“With reconstructive surgery, thereare still going to be scars.

You’re still not going to have the samebreast as before but it does help withyour body image,” Crow said. “No onehas to have a breast replaced. It’s allabout how it makes you feel personally.It’s that woman’s decision, not her

husband’s, not her mother’s, hers.”Getting the facts about reconstructive

surgery is important, she said.“It’s not a cookie cutter procedure

where one size fits all,” she said.“Talking with the plastic surgeon aboutthe advantages and disadvantages of thedifferent types of procedures isimportant.”

Not all women choose reconstructivesurgery; many opt for prostheticdevices, Lesa L. Lynch of SouthernIllinois Surgical Appliance Co.

Home Medical Equipment said.Lynch is an American Board Certified

Fitter of Mastectomy.“For newly post-surgical survivors,

my goal is to become an extension oftheir treatment plan by working closelywith their physicians and nurse carecoordinators to offer them products toease their way through the healingprocess,” she said.

SISA offers the latest and mostinnovative products — from breastforms, post-surgical camisoles andgarments to swimwear — that arefunctional and fashionable, she said.

Prosthetics can help restore balanceand symmetry, she said, as well as giveconfidence.

“I am dedicated to helping breastcancer survivors reclaim a positive bodyimage,” Lynch said.

[email protected]

Her B Team membersare attempting to reach a$2,000 goal in donationsby soliciting relatives,friends and businesses.

Despite reoccurrencesof cancer, numeroustreatments that haveincluded drugs, a chemoand radiation therapy,Steinmetz is positive andchipper about herself andother breast cancersurvivors.

“I’m all in favor ofresearch,” she said. “Theyare going to find a cure forcancer. I know it.”

When Steinmetz looksback at her cancer ordeal,what she remembers mostis the support andgenerosity of others. Shethinks of the treatment atBarnes, saying, “Theysaved my life.” She thinksof the hospital providingher discount lodging andthe positive rapport withall the doctors and nurses.She thinks of theAmerican Cancer Societyproviding her gas moneyto travel to and from St.Louis. She thinks of herplace of employment,Dillard’s in Illinois CentreMall, and the support,

time off and otheramenities the retailbusiness has given to her.

So Steinmetz is going todo something to show hergratitude for everyoneand everything that hasbeen done to help hersurvive this disease. She’sgoing to walk, and eachstep will shorten thedistance to eventuallyfinding a cure.

“I feel that participatingin Making Strides issomething I can do to giveback,” Steinmetz said.

[email protected]

STEP: Event emphasizes education, supportFROM PAGE 5


Ladies Only NightFriday, Oct. 22 from 6-9p.m.

“Giggle Til Ya Jiggle”Female comedians, wine tasting,

appetizers, desserts, manicures, chairmassages and more.

Saturday, Oct. 23 from 11-5p.m.

Live Music and FREE FoodFREE Mammograms

from Ferrell Hospital11a.m. - 4p.m.

Putting Women First

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