Press Release
EMHC offers new tool in fight against breast cancer
For immediate release, July 31, 2008
Contact
Kyle Bauer, Public Relations Coordinator, 630-993-5702
ELMHURST – Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer for women, affecting one out of eight over a lifetime. Every woman needs to learn the most effective methods for protecting her health and future. That is where MammaCare Breast Self-Exam comes in. Developed by the University of Florida and funded by the National Cancer Institute, the MammaCare method is known to be the most thorough, systematic and efficient method of examining breast tissue.
Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare (EMHC) recently became one of the first hospitals in the area to begin teaching this method. EMHC now offers classes every other month for women interested in protecting their breast health. Susan Earley, R.N., community services coordinator at EMHC, is the 22nd person in Illinois to become certified to teach MammaCare.
"MammaCare is the new, recommended way to perform a breast self-exam," Earley said. "This method uses a technique different from the regular self-exams women have been doing for years. It uses the flat pads of your three middle fingers with three levels of pressure when examining each spot on your breast. It may be slightly more time-consuming, but it allows for earlier detection of tumors and can improve survival rate."
During the class, attendees have the opportunity to feel a silicone breast that is formulated to feel as real as their own and contains tumors to mimic real-life tumors. Practicing on these models allows women to get a better understanding of what normal breast tissue feels like and what should be checked by a physician.
"The women I teach are very happy that this is available," Earley said. "MammaCare helps women develop the sensitivity to detect an abnormality earlier than they thought possible. It is especially beneficial to women who have had breast cancer because it gives them a feeling of control."
EMHC offers MammaCare classes every other month. For more information, or to register, call CareMatch at (630) 782-7878.