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Public invited to free breast cancer, reconstruction awareness event

By Jamie Lampros - Special to the Standard-Examiner | Oct 9, 2024

Daniel Kucin Jr., Associated Press

Washington Football Team fan cutouts form a breast cancer awareness ribbon during an NFL match against the Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Football Team on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Landover, Md.

Breast cancer survivors throughout the state will be telling their personal stories during a community event hosted by Intermountain Health.

As part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is every October, Intermountain Health also will be sharing information about the advances in breast reconstruction and options from 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday at the Leonardo Museum, 209 E. 500 South in Salt Lake City.

Oct. 12 has been designated as Annual Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day.

The event is free and open to the community and is designed for breast cancer survivors, patients and family members who will have the opportunity to meet others in the same situation and learn more about breast reconstruction surgery advancements and new medical and surgical options following cancer treatment.

According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 311,000 women and 2,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in the United States.

The American Cancer Society states on its website that while cancer death rates have been declining, increasing diagnosis of six of the most common cancers, which include breast cancer, are threatening that downward trend. On top of that, the organization states breast cancer rates have sharply risen in women under the age of 50.

Intermountain Health also found that studies have shown only 19% of women understand that the timing of their treatment for breast cancer and the timing of their decision to undergo reconstruction greatly impacts their options and results.

In addition, 7 in 10 women are not aware of their breast reconstruction options following a mastectomy.

Jenna Fischer, star of “The Office,” recently revealed on social media she had been diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

“Last December, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer,” she said. “After completing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, I am now cancer free. If I had waited six months longer, things could have been much worse.”

The 50 year-old actress said she posted the announcement to implore women to get their annual mammogram.

“I’m serious. Call your doctors right now,” she said.

The Women’s Health and Cancer Act of 1998 requires health insurers to cover the cost of breast reconstruction following mastectomy in all 50 states.

The event on Saturday will feature a bra decorating contest, refreshments, a photo booth, raffle prizes and an interactive surgery display.