Lorraine Pace Urges Women to Get Screened for Breast Cancer during National Women's Health Week

LongIsland.com

(Bay Shore, New York) - Lorraine Pace, Co-President, Breast Cancer Help, Inc., says women should make their own health a priority in conjunction with National Women's Health Week. That means getting screenings for breast cancer ...

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(Bay Shore, New York) - Lorraine Pace, Co-President, Breast Cancer Help, Inc., says women should make their own health a priority in conjunction with National Women's Health Week. That means getting screenings for breast cancer and meeting with their doctor to schedule a check-up.

National Women's Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health. It brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations and other groups in an effort to promote women's health. With this year's theme being "It's Your Time," National Women's Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority. It also encourages them to take steps to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases by exercising, eating nutritious meals, receiving regular checkups and preventive screenings, avoiding risky behaviors, getting enough sleep and managing stress.

"Women need to be vigilant about their health, especially when it comes to breast cancer," Ms. Pace said. "Even if their family does not have a history of breast cancer, that does not mean they will not get breast cancer themselves. If they feel the slightest lump, they should not wait; they should get it checked out immediately. If they are uncomfortable with their doctor's diagnosis, they should get a second opinion. Since there is still no cure for breast cancer, the best way to combat this deadly disease is with early detection. Hopefully, we will find a cause and a cure for this increasingly prevalent disease."

For more information, call (631) 675-9003 or visit www.breastcancerhelpinc.org.

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Breast Cancer Help, Inc. is a not-for-profit grass roots organization with a focus on action and advocacy to eradicate breast cancer. Founded in 1994 by Lorraine Pace, a two time breast cancer survivor, and Father Thomas Arnao, Breast Cancer Help, Inc. uses a four pronged approach to promoting education and awareness of breast cancer issues. The first of these prongs is the West Islip breast cancer mapping project initiated by Lorraine Pace, which mobilized patients and pinpointed breast cancer clusters. This original mapping project, which spearheaded the breast cancer environmental movement, has now spread to other parts of New York, the U.S. and internationally. Since its inception, the group's goal has been to raise awareness and promote education for the cause, treatment, and cure of the disease; while maintaining a focus on action and advocacy to eradicate breast cancer. It has accomplished this by mobilizing patients into coalitions leading to breast cancer mapping projects, serving as advocates to change state and local laws to protect breast cancer patients, and working to bring about positive changes in protecting the environment. Breast Cancer Help, Inc. has helped to ensure that Long Islanders have access to the best possible diagnosis and care through the purchase of cutting edge medical and research equipment. It has also supported research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. In 2003, Breast Cancer Help opened its Long Island Cancer Help and Wellness Center, now located at 32 Park Avenue in Bay Shore to provide increased cancer awareness to promote education and early detection while providing patients and survivors with much needed support.