Buddy Up for Breast Health

Fort Myers, FL, April 14, 2011 --(PR.com)-- 21st Century Oncology Launches New Buddy Check Program to Promote Breast Health.

The “buddy system” is not just for children anymore.

21st Century Oncology has teamed up with NBC-2 and Florida Weekly to promote Buddy Check, a new program to remind women and men to perform monthly breast self-exams.

Buddy Check consists of three steps:

Find a Buddy. A buddy can be a friend, family member or co-worker.
Mark Your Calendar. Put a note on the 2nd day of each month to check in with your buddy.
Call Your Buddy. Contact your buddy and remind him or her to do a breast self-exam. If you find something, call your physician.

“You are the first line of defense when it comes to your breast health, and Buddy Check is a simple way to remind ourselves to do breast self-exams, which are a crucial part of detecting breast cancer early,” says Dr. Rie Aihara, Medical Director of Regional Breast Care, a division of 21st Century Oncology.

As part of the program, NBC-2 news anchor Kellie Burns will do a reminder story on the 2nd of each month, and Florida Weekly will be running free public service ads about Buddy Check.

Making sure to do a proper exam is just as important as doing the exam, Dr. Aihara says. “The shower is an ideal place to do your self-exam. That is why we are providing Buddy Check kits to participants that include shower stickers that show a step-by-step exam, as well as an informational brochure,” she says.

To receive a Buddy Check kit, call 800-NEW-HELP.

For more information about Buddy Check, visit www.nbc-2.com/Buddycheck2.

Facts about Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S. after skin cancers. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, and about one in 35 women will die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

However, the odds of a cure are greater than 85 percent if breast cancer is detected and treated before it spreads to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. “Being familiar with the warning signs of breast cancer and the guidelines for breast health, as well as doing regular breast self-exams and having exams by a medical professional, can make the difference between a long life and a much shorter life,” Dr. Aihara says.

Warning Signs of Breast Cancer*

Breast lump or thickening
Bleeding or discharge from the nipple
Change in breast shape or contour
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Inflamed reddish appearance of the breast
Retraction or scaliness of the nipple

Guidelines for Breast Health*

Monthly breast self-exams
Clinical breast exams every three years for women ages 20 to 40
Clinical breast exams yearly for women 40 and older
Annual mammograms should begin at age 40

*Source: American Cancer Society

About 21st Century Oncology
Headquartered in Fort Myers, 21st Century Oncology, Inc. is a leading developer and operator of radiation therapy centers in the U.S. For 30 years, 21st Century Oncology has been committed to providing premier, quality, cost-effective radiation therapy services that are responsive to the needs of its patients through continuous improvement and innovation. The company operates in 17 states and has more than 20 offices in Southwest Florida.

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