The pink ribbon has been synonymous with breast cancer for years. Nowadays, people rarely think twice when they see pink ribbons, having grown accustomed to the pink ribbon and what it symbolizes.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been celebrated each year since 1985, and many other breast cancer awareness initiatives have been devised since then. While the pink ribbon may seem like it’s been in use for just as long, it was actually established only about 20 years ago.
Ribbons have long symbolized something important. For decades, yellow ribbons have been used to alert others to soldiers at war or hostages that hadn’t yet come home. People often tie yellow ribbons around trees at home until their service men and women came home safely. During the height of HIV/AIDS activism and awareness, red ribbons were worn to symbolize support for those with the disease.
Although the pink ribbon evolved because pink expresses femininity, calm, health, and youth, the first breast cancer ribbon was actually peach. Charlotte Haley is credited with devising the first breast cancer ribbon in 1992. She was a breast cancer survivor and came from a family of women who also fought the disease. She created peach-colored loops at home and then distributed the ribbons at her local grocery stores. Haley encouraged people to wear the ribbons and contact legislators to demand more funding for breast cancer research. An attached note was distributed with the ribbons stating, “The National Cancer Institute annual budget is $1.8 billion, only 5 percent goes for cancer prevention. Help us wake up our legislators and America by wearing this ribbon.”
The same year Evelyn Lauder, senior corporate vice president for the Estee Lauder company, and Self magazine editor Alexandra Penney teamed up to produce a pink ribbon. It was distributed at makeup counters all across the country. The company collected more than 200,000 pink ribbon petitions asking the U.S. government for increased funding for breast cancer research.
Although Lauder and Haley reached people on different levels, their goals were the same: To educate the public on the lack of funds allotted to breast cancer research.
Pink ribbons are now seen all over and have become the uniting force for millions of women who are facing breast cancer or supporting someone with the disease. In 1996, Nancy Nick created a blue-and-pink ribbon to symbolize male breast cancer ribbons in honor of her late father. The ribbons remind others that breast cancer can affect men as well as women.
Although you can see waves of pink every October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many people don their ribbons year-round. Great strides have been made with respect to breast cancer, but with about 225,000 new cases popping up each year in the United States alone, there is still work to be done.
One of a community newspaper’s primary functions is to raise awareness. It does this week in and week out with text and photographs. When we want to draw even more attention to an event or promotion, we add color to the story, picture or advertisement.
Then what better way to focus all eyes on an important health issue like breast cancer than to print the entire special section on specially-made pink newsprint. It is with great pride that we present our Breast Cancer Awareness section at the beginning of October which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
With cooperation and support from three Aroostook County healthcare agencies — Cary Medical Center, Houlton Regional Hospital and The Aroostook Medical Center — we made plans to draw our readers’ attention with a special edition printed on pink-colored paper. After all, pink is recognized around the world as the color associated with women’s health and specifically breast cancer awareness.
An order was placed in July with our newsprint supplier and last week a trailer-truck made the 900-mile delivery to Northeast Publishing Company from the paper mill in Iroquois Falls, Ontario.
In addition to vital information on breast cancer and tips to ensure proper breast health, this Breast Cancer Awareness section tells an important local story — the amazing story of how our Aroostook County hospitals are pulling out all the stops to stay at the cutting edge of technology including breast cancer detection and treatment. Unwilling to accept second-class care due to our remote location and rural economy, these hospitals, together with their dedicated staff and supportive auxiliaries and foundation, have raised local dollars to make these expensive upgrades possible.
We hope you enjoy our pink Breast Cancer Awareness section. And we intend to make it another colorful tradition in Aroostook County!
Breast cancer is a disease that affects thousands of people each year. According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 226,870 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women will be diagnosed this year (including new cases of primary breast cancer among survivors but not the recurrence of original breast cancer among survivors). There also will be 63,300 new cases of in situ breast cancer (including ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, and lobular carcinoma in situ, or LCIS). It is estimated that there will be 39,510 breast cancer deaths in 2012.
Although breast cancer is rare among men, there are still cases that occur each year. It is estimated that there will be 2,190 new cases of breast cancer cases in men, and there could be 410 breast cancer deaths.
Early detection of breast cancer can improve survival rates and lessen the severity of treatment options. Routine mammograms are essential to catching signs of breast cancer early on but so can home-based breast exams.
Over the years there has been some debate over the effectiveness of breast self-exams, or BSEs. Different breast cancer organizations have different views on the subject. Some studies have indicated that a BSE is not effective in reducing breast cancer mortality rates. Some argue that these exams also may put women at risk — increasing the number of potential lumps found due to uncertainty as to what is being felt in the breast. This can lead to unnecessary biopsies. Others feel that a BSE is a good practice, considering that roughly 20 percent of breast cancers are found by physical examination rather than by mammography, according to BreastCancer.org.
The American Cancer Society takes the position that a BSE is an optional screening tool for breast cancer. For those who are interested in conducting self-exams, here is the proper way to do so.
• Begin with a visual inspection of the breasts. Remove clothing and stand in front of a mirror. Turn and pivot so the breasts can be seen at all angles. Make a note of your breasts’ appearance. Pay special attention to any dimpling, puckering or oddness in the appearance of the skin. Check to see if there is any change in symmetry or size of the breasts.
• Continue the examination with hands placed by the hips and then again with your hands elevated overhead with your palms pressed together.
• Next you will move on to a physical examination. This can be done either by reclining on a bed or the floor or any flat surface. The exam also can be done in the shower. To begin examining the breasts, place the hand and arm for the breast you will be examining behind your head. Use the pads of your pointer, middle and ring fingers to push and massage at the breast in a clockwise motion. Begin at the outer portion of the breast, slowly working inward in a circular motion until you are at the nipple. Be sure to also check the tissue under the breast and by the armpit.
• Do the same process on the opposite breast. Note if there are any differences from one breast to the other.
If you find any abnormalities, mark them down on an illustration that you can bring to the doctor. Or if you can get an appointment immediately, draw a ring around the area with a pen so that you will be able to show the doctor directly where you have concern.
It is a good idea to conduct a BSE once a month and not when menstruating, when breasts may change due to hormone fluctuation. Frequent examinations will better acquaint you with what is normal with your breasts and better help you recognize if something feels abnormal.
On February 15, 2012 Houlton Regional Hospital celebrated the first digital mammography performed at HRH with its new GE Full Field Digital Mammography System. A yearlong campaign of fundraising from HRH staff, as well as funds received from the Health Service Foundation, brought this vision and need of the community to reality. The Digital Mammography Equipment replaced Sophie, purchased in 2001 with funds provided again by the Health Service Foundation.
Nancy Putnam, Nurse Practitioner with Houlton Family Practice, comments “Women from this area have been waiting for this method of screening for breast cancer for a long time. Women were requesting referrals to other facilities, which provided digital mammography. Since HRH now has digital screening, I make fewer referrals to out-of-town facilities. Digital mammography makes patients feel safer, and I am happy to have this capability available here in Houlton. It is a good thing.”
EQUIPMENT UNVEILED — Houlton Regional Hospital unveiled its new digital mammography equipment — the GE Senographe Care Full-Field Digital Mammography System — with an open house in March, 2012. Showing how the scan works is Wanda Parks.
Dr. Joseph Mack, Radiologist at Houlton Regional Hospital explains that digital mammography is more sensitive than conventional mammography and uses less radiation. In addition, because the images are stored digitally on a computer, the data can be manipulated to clarify the image. All mammograms are obtained digitally at Houlton Regional Hospital.
Due to the increased use of mammography most women in the United States are diagnosed at an early stage of breast cancer, before symptoms appear. However, not all breast cancers are found through mammography. The most common symptoms of breast cancer are a change in the look or feel of the breast, a change in the look or feel of the nipple and nipple discharge. Here are the warning signs to be aware of:
• Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area;
• Change in the size or shape of the breast;
• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple;
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast;
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin; and/or
• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast.
Doing self-exams and making screening appointments will also help to saves lives.
The Mammography Journey
In 1977 the 35-year journey to digital imaging began.
Houlton Regional Hospital’s first mammography unit was manufactured by Xerox and acquired by the hospital in 1977. It was a huge machine that used blue and white paper film. A patient would sit at a table first, then onto an X-ray table to build them up with sponges and given that scenario, it was indeed difficult to keep them in the same position, however it was top-of-the-line back then, but much harder and took a lot longer.
The Foundation begins its mission to assist in mammography healthcare
Fast forward 24 years to October 31, 2001.
“In 2001 Foundation Trustees met and agreed to pursue a campaign of $75,000 to purchase state-of-the-art mammography equipment named Sophie. Sophie provided superb imaging with various speed compression levels, desired degree of rotation, and auto-release after exposure for patient comfort and was certainly a huge step up from the 1977 Xerox model.
NEW ROOM — Houlton Regional Hospital opened its new digital mammography room in March. The equipment provides a clearer, more accurate image for doctors to diagnose.
It was an easy decision for trustees to make, as bringing that equipment to the local area was exciting,” said Elizabeth Dulin Foundation Executive Director.
Now fast forward another 10 years to 2011.
“In the journey to provide the best possible equipment for the early detection of breast cancer, the Foundation again voted to bring state-of-the-art digital mammography to Houlton Regional, and was a second easy decision to make regarding this important healthcare issue. It was vitally important that the Foundation assist the hospital to stay ahead with the latest technology and bring digital screening to Houlton.
The GE Senographe Care Full-Field Digital Mammography System ensures superior detection capabilities of abnormalities at an earlier stage thus providing patients with optimum treatment options if needed. We were only able to accomplish bringing this equipment to our area with the assistance of the hospital’s in-house employee fund drive and the generosity of all our supporters.
Also our high-risk patients, and others requiring digital screening in the past, no longer have to face the issue of having to drive to another facility, they can stay right here at home and get the services they need,” Dulin said.
Foundation to celebrate year of 30th Anniversary
“The Foundation has been fundraising for local non-profit healthcare providers since 1983 and October 1, 2012 will begin a year of celebrating 30 years in support of equipment, education, and capital needs, to the best of our financial ability, to all those we serve. To date disbursements for providers have topped the $2 million dollar mark at $2,087,750.21, and our efforts over the years have been truly rewarding knowing the positive impacts we have had on our communities.
We look forward, once again, to helping our area healthcare providers, and will be conducting a current campaign for several specific important needs that have been presented to us by Houlton Regional Hospital.
Follow us through this upcoming fundraising year to see all the great things we will be doing to help our hospital and hope everyone will become involved, to the best of their ability, and help us have a successful outcome to our fundraising goal. “We cannot do it without you, and we do it for you,” Dulin concluded.
The Foundation’s mission of “Supporting Excellence in Healthcare” is a passion that never wavers even when economic times can make things more difficult to achieve. Healthcare is of paramount importance in everyone’s lives and without Foundation’s such as ours, providers would find it far more difficult to attain some of the equipment, or offer programs genuinely needed for their communities.
Anyone wishing further information about Foundation projects/programs please call our office at 207-521-2147 or visit the website at www.healthservicesfoundation.org — we will be happy to assist you.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — After more than a year of raising funds, Houlton Regional Hospital is now the proud owner of state-of-the-art digital mammography equipment.
The hospital unveiled its new technology in March when it invited those who donated to the cause to come see the new digital mammography equipment and patient room. A light lunch was also provided by the hospital.
“We’re pleased to introduce our new digital mammography machine and room to the community,” said Tom Moakler, CEO for Houlton Regional Hospital. “been long overdue and a great community project. It’s been a great project to see develop.”
Employees at the hospital helped raise $60,000 for The GE Senographe Care Full-Field Digital Mammography System. The bulk of the fund-raising effort, however, came from the Health Services Foundation, which raised a total of $285,000 for the project.
“Health Services Foundation was truly pleased to see so many donors along with hospital employees gather for the recent dedication of the new digital mammography system,” said Elizabeth Dulin, executive director for the Foundation. “This indeed was a very special campaign for the Foundation as here we are 10 years later, after funding for Sophie, our then state-of-the-art upgrade for mammography screenings, being able to bring, once again, the best possible equipment we can to Houlton Regional Hospital.”
With the grant funding for digital mammography, another milestone was reached, as the Foundation broke the $2 million mark in giving back to help support excellence in health care to their communities served.
“That says a lot about how much our communities and hospital employees cared about the importance of this effort, and how hard we worked to make bringing this equipment to Houlton a reality,” Dulin said. “As the executive director, I can only say with heartfelt sincerity how much all the generous contributions to this fund-raising effort meant. Also, not only are our donors financially generous, but also generous with their time in helping us reach the goals that are set.”
“All our donors who support the Foundation do so knowing how vitally important our hospital is to our area and will do what they can on a regular basis to continue the goal of having Houlton Regional be the ‘Hospital of Choice’ for our area. They know that the assistance the Foundation extends to healthcare providers allows them to extend the best possible healthcare options they can so the best possible decisions can be made regarding a persons health and wellness,” she added.
Dulin said this latest digital mammography system brought great relief to those who are considered high risk patients, who will no longer have to make long trips to a facility in Bangor to accommodate their screening needs.
“We know that early detection is the best prevention and this new system will be able to catch breast cancer issues at a far earlier stage,” Dulin said. “This early stage detection will assist providers to prepare for the best course of treatment for the best possible outcome.”
The equipment is located in the same location as the previous mammography room at the hospital, but renovations were made to make the experience more comforting, Moakler said. Staff had about one week of training with the new technology.
Sue McLaughlin, radiology manager at HRH, said there was a slight learning curve with the new technology. The biggest difference, however, was the turnaround time for doctors to get results.
McLaughlin said the quality of the image is also far superior to previous technology. That prior technology was actually discouraged by some in the field.
“A lot of patients who had breast cancer, their oncologists didn’t want them coming here to HRH because we were still using film,” McLaughlin said. “They wanted their patients to have mammograms done elsewhere because of the (older) technology.”
“There are several advantages to this new technology,” added Dr. Joseph Mack. “It’s been shown that there is a decrease in the dose of radiation.”
Another advantage with the digital technology is how well it works with detecting abnormalities with younger women.
“There is an increased rate of detection,” Dr. Mack said. “Women under 50 have denser breast tissue, making detection more difficult with the previous technology.
