page a2 10 22.qxp - Clayton Pioneer

Page 6 Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com October 22, 2010
More than awareness needed to fight breast cancer
DENISEN HARTLOVE
Clayton Pioneer
Not that long ago, a diagnosis
of breast cancer was hidden
from friends and relatives. And
the word “breast” was never
used in polite company.
Today, a brief survey of
Clayton residents found that
every person asked knew at least
someone who had been diag-
A Custom Rancher in Concord's
desired St. Francis Park!
This luxurious 2,500
sq ft home portrays
quality from its
stately corner court
location with tasteful landscaping, to its hardwood
floor living and formal dining rooms! 3
Spacious bedrooms plus a bonus room! Huge,
level lot, close to Cowell Park! Get into one of
Concord's best areas for only $549,000!
ON THE GOLF COURSE at $525,000!
This detached 2-story Oakhurst
C.C. home on the 10th tee has
a new granite kitchen, new tile
entry, baths & laundry room,
vaulted ceilings a huge Master-suite. RV Parking
Pending
nosed or been diagnosed with
the disease themselves.
Maria Sousa, executive director
for the Susan G. Komen
Race for the Cure’s San
Francisco Bay Area affiliate,
acknowledged that preaching
awareness is no longer a struggle.
“I think part of it is that the
attitude toward breast cancer has
really changed in our society and
in our country,” she said.
Now is the time to buy.
For a personal showing, call PETE at 890-6004.
KNOWLEDGE � SERVICE � INTEGRITY � RESULTS
Pete Laurence, Broker, Realtor, GRI
2950 Buskirk Avenue, Ste. 140, Walnut Creek
Direct 940-2777 � Cell 890-6004 � Fax 937-0150
“Women are much more open if
they have been diagnosed or if
they are survivors.”
That’s a considerable change
since National Breast Cancer
Awareness Month was conceived
by drug manufacturer
AstraZeneca 25 years ago.
“I really do think that
National Breast Cancer
Awareness Month was helpful
when it was first established,”
noted breast cancer researcher
MITCHELL CANYON ESTATES, LARGE LOT!
Brand new, 40year
roof. This single-storyranchstyle
home has
beautiful hardwood
floors, new granite kitchen, and freshly painted.
12,000 sq ft lot with some views $509,900!
DANA RIDGE LIVING AT ONLY $340,000!
This detached
Pending
Pete can sell
yours too!
(925) 348-1704
www.CollegeFundsNow.com
Low, low
payments
Sara saved $200 a month
single story, 3
bedroom, 2 bath
Clayton home
has new dual
pane windows, an upgraded kitchen, formal dining,
a vaulted ceiling living room with fireplace
and an ideal setting next to the greenbelt!
DRE#00344166
Dr. Susan Love. “But at this
point, I believe it has outlived its
usefulness.”
SIFTING THROUGH
THE STUDIES
The billions of dollars
poured into research and early
detection campaigns have
helped raise five-year survival
rates for early detection from 74
percent to 98 percent of diagnoses.
Yet today some sacred
cows are being sacrificed, and
women are finding that they are
their own best advocates in wading
through the conflicting studies
and recommendations.
Mammograms used to be the
gospel preached by breast cancer
awareness groups throughout
the land for early detection. But
in 2009, the U.S. Preventative
Services Task Force came out
with recommendations that radically
contravened current wisdom.
No longer should women
be taught to do breast selfexams,
said the group, because if
done wrong, they could lead to
anxiety, distress and unnecessary
testing.
Nor were routine mammograms
indicated until age 50, lest
women incur unnecessary radiation.
Soon afterward, a study from
Norway showed that mammograms
accounted for the decline
in only a third of breast cancer
deaths, with the rest attributed
to increased awareness and better
diagnostic skills in physicians.
The American Congress of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists
wasted no time in issuing its own
opinion. “The college continues
to recommend that fellows
advise mammography screening
for their patients aged 40 and
older and that they counsel their
patients that BSE (breast selfexamination)
has the potential to
detect palpable breast cancer
and can be performed,” the
group stated.
The congress further noted
that the task force’s recommendation
would have implications
for insurance coverage of mammograms
for many women.
Tamara Steiner, owner and
editor of the Clayton Pioneer, is
a breast cancer survivor. She
learned of her diagnosis at age
48, a few months after starting
hormone replacement therapy.
During a mammogram appointment,
a vigilant technician spotted
a dent on her breast. Further
testing found a small but aggressive
tumor.
After more than two years of
treatment that included a mastectomy,
chemotherapy and radiation,
Steiner has been cancerfree
for 13 years. Steiner noted
that if she’d waited until she was
50 to have a mammogram, I’d be
dead.”
‘KNOW YOUR BODY’
The amount of information
on the types of breast cancer,
from ductal carcinoma in situ
(DCIS) to infiltrating and invasive
tumors, as well as the means
of detection and treatment
options, can be dizzying.
Risk factors include some
that can’t be controlled -- such as
age, racial background and family
history – but also factors some
believe can be managed. Alcohol
intake, obesity and lack of exercise
have all been linked to higher
rates of breast cancer. Some
hormone therapies have also
been found to be connected to
increased risk.
“It’s hard to quantify a lot of
that because they’ll (the scientists)
associate a lot of different
lifestyle habits with increased or
decreased risk. But you can’t add
them all together,” said certified
Museum, from page 1
for the second annual
“Whispers of the Past” event.
Children from two fourth-grade
classes at Highlands and Mt.
Diablo elementary schools were
invited to join in as a field trip to
the museum.
“October is archaeology
month in California,” Spryer
noted. “Last year was the first
time we had it and we heard
about that through Christine.”
During a demonstration
behind the museum, McCollum
showed off the tools of the
archaeologist’s trade – including
4.49 %
New / Used / Refi nance
As low as
brushes, small tools and measuring
devices. Some archaeologists
even use GPS units.
Inside the museum, children
and adults were asked to match
up ancient tools, toys and
devices to their current counterparts.
McCollum, a resident of
Sacramento, has been involved
with archaeology for about 10
years. She was inspired to
become an archaeologist while
reading her grandmother’s
National Geographic magazines.
“It’s very important to study
❑✔ No payments for 90 days**
❑✔ Up to 125% fi nancing
❑✔ Rate applies to NEW cars
❑✔ Rate applies to USED cars
(2000 or later)
*APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is based on applicant’s credit history and other underwriting factors. This rate reflects the 0.25% discount for automatic payment and 0.75% for being a valued TCU member for more than six months or a new member with
TCU checking and monthly direct deposit(s) that total at least $500. For example, at 4.49% APR for 60 months, payments are $18.65 per month per $1,000 financed, based on $0 down on a vehicle that is 10 years old or newer. All loan rates are subject to
change daily without notice. Please visit www.traviscu.org for current rates on vehicle loans. TCU vehicle loans are not eligible for refinancing. **The interest on your vehicle loan will continue to accrue from the date your vehicle loan is funded and transferred.
Everyone who lives, works, worships or goes to school in Contra Costa county is eligible to join. Certain membership requirements may apply.
physicians assistant Elizabeth
Sivesind.
She noted as an example the
higher number of diagnoses in
women with college educations.
“But you can’t say college causes
breast cancer,” added Sivesind,
who sees female patients every
day in the Walnut Creek office
she shares with ob/gyn Dr.
Margaret Craig.
Julie Durand, manager of the
Muir Cancer Institute Cancer
Program, also suggests taking
many of the studies with a grain
of salt.
“I just don’t think there’s one
set of rules – I think every person
is different. And depending
on their family history, you have
to look at all the components
that are part of your history,”
Durand said. “It’s hard to just
come out with a golden rule
really.”
Both experts counsel women
to get information from more
than one source and suggested
Websites including the American
College of Obstetrics and
Gynecology (acog.org) and the
American Cancer Society (cancer.com).
In the meantime, most
women surveyed plan to continue
having mammograms every
year or two after they turn 40.
“The alternative is, I think,
far worse,” Clayton resident
Kelly Tuohey, 42, said of her
decision. “How else are you
going to catch it if they’re saying
don’t even do self tests? I don’t
know what the answer to that
is.”
In addition to regular mammograms,
Duran said the answer
is often self-awareness.
“The bottom line is you just
need to know your body, no
matter what,” she said. “There’s
a danger there when we don’t
know our own bodies.”
APR * for
60 months
❑✔ Rate applies to REFINANCING
(for non-TCU fi nanced vehicles)
Yes. You can join. ® (800) 877-8328 www.traviscu.org
Clayton Valley: 5442 Ygnacio Valley Road, Suite 10
Concord: 1257 Willow Pass Road
science. Science is a very big
part of what we do, obviously,”
McCollum said. “Being really
strong in the sciences and being
comfortable being outdoors are
important. Those are two things
one needs to focus on.”
According to McCollum,
field work is essential in her profession.
“You need to go out
and learn the field methods and
at least get a bachelor’s degree in
anthropology. If you want to
continue this as a career, you
need to get a master’s degree,”
said McCollum, who has an
undergraduate degree from UC
Davis and a master’s from Cal
State Sacramento.