This was the message echoed today by State Sen. Jane Nelson, Flower Mound, chairman of the Senate health services committee, and Austin breast cancer survivor Ruby Handcox. Gov. George W. Bush had declared Oct. 1 Breast Cancer Awareness Day in Texas. Health officials say breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among American women. But women can increase their chances of surviving breast cancer by getting a yearly clinical breast examination and mammogram and performing a monthly breast self-examination. Breast cancer is not a death sentence.
Women have the best chance of successful treatment and surviving if their cancer is detected early.
Though all women have a chance of developing breast cancer, women 50 or older are the most likely to develop the disease. African-American women have the highest breast cancer death rates. I am a living testimony that you can survive breast cancer. Nelson urged all Texans to promote early detection practices to the women in their lives. We should offer to help make an appointment for them if necessary.