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News
from
Senator
Stachowski
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| For Immediate Release May 3, 2008 Senator
Bill Stachowski Honors Mother's Day
by Encouraging Breast Cancer Screening Urges New
Yorkers to participate in important routine mammograms
State Senator Bill Stachowski (D-58th District) today asked New Yorkers to show their love, respect, and compassion for women across the state by advocating the importance of regular mammogram screening. "I am a strong believer in the importance of mammogram screening," said Senator Bill Stachowski. "It's a grim and saddening fact that breast cancer affects one in eight women during their lives. These women are our beloved mothers, sisters, aunts, wives, friends and neighbors. We all understand how important these people are in our lives, and this Mother's Day let's find the necessary time to remind them how cherished their health is." A mammogram is a safe and highly accurate X-ray of the breast resulting in a detailed image that can detect cancer early on. What's more, mammograms have been shown to lower the risk of dying from breast cancer by 35 percent in women over the age of 50; studies suggest for women between 40 and 50 they may lower the risk of dying from breast cancer by 25–35 percent. The National Cancer Institute recommends that women age 40 and older have a screening mammogram every one to two years. An excellent resource for New Yorkers with mammography questions or concerns is the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support program, which directs callers to community resources and provides telephone support through volunteers, all of whom are breast cancer survivors. The toll-free hotline, at 1-800-877-8077, has offered information and support for 28 years. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women. African-American women are especially at risk because their mortality rates are higher than all other racial and ethnic groups. Senator Stachowski said African-American women should make mammogram screening a top priority this year and for years to come. If you don't receive regular breast cancer screening, due to cost, you may contact the Partners for Prevention, Cancer Screening Services of Erie County Department of Health at (716) 886-9201. "Our mothers of New York are our role models, our selfless givers to family, and our bottomless wells of love and support," Senator Stachowski concluded. "This Mother's Day we celebrate those invaluable qualities that embody the role of motherhood. Let's give the greatest gift we can by helping them make their health a top-priority year-round. Every woman should take this step for herself and for those who love her - I encourage it.
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For
Information:
Dennis Kozuch |