Breast Cancer

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Breast Cancer

• An opportunity to save Lives

Behram Pastakia Metropolitan Washington DC
USA 9th World Zoroastrian Congress, Dubai 2009
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Defining the Problem

• Breast cancer strikes 1 in 8 women in their
  lifetime
• Family history can increase your risk
• Zoroastrians (Parsis/Iranis) are particulary
  vulnerable

Breast cancer 9thWZC 2009
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Defining the Problem

• Adversely Impacts family stability
• Emotional turmoil in children 
• Physical and Mental stress on caregivers
• Drains financial resources

Breast cancer 9thWZC 2009
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Solution

• Screening Mammography

Breast cancer 9thWZC 2009
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Barriers

• Lack of awareness among eligible women
• Lack of screening facilities

Breast cancer 9thWZC 2009
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Eligible Women - Definition

• 40 years old and above
• Periodic screenings
• (at least once every two years)

Breast cancer 9thWZC 2009
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PROTECT YOUR HEALTH

• A mammogram can detect tissue abnormalities
  long before self-exam would find them.
• Early detection increases treatment options and
  rates of cure.

Breast cancer 9thWZC 2009
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Reason Versus Reality

• I'm too busy 
• I already had one years ago 

• Saving your life will give you more time. 
• Bi-annual tests increase chances for early
  detection of small tumours.

Breast cancer 9thWZC 2009
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Reason Versus Reality

• No cancer in my family  

• You could be the exception.

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Reason Versus Reality

• The test is uncomfortable.
• I'm too shy. 

• The discomfort is temporary.
• Your privacy will be protected.

Breast cancer 9thWZC 2009
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Reason Versus Reality

• The x-rays may cause cancer

• Breast cancer risk is greater than the minimal
  risk of radiation from the test.

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AWARENESS

• October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• Ladies Night

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AWARENESS

• Race for the Cure
• Goes Global in 2010

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RESOURCES

• Toll free 1-888-258-3432
• Audio Health Library
• Topics
• 5248  Mammograms
• 5211  Breast Self Exam
• 3506  Breast Cancer

Breast cancer 9thWZC 2009
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Screening Facilities

• UK National Health Service
• USA- ACR accredited facilities
• Canada Provincial Health Services
• Iran Tehran well covered
• Iran (? Yazd, Isfahan, Kerman)

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Screening Facilities

• Mumbai Private institutions
• Mumbai - Parsi General Hospital
• South Gujarat Bulsar, Udvada, Vapi
• Navsari, Billimora,
• Gujarat - Ahmedabad

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Screening Facilities

• Sydney
• Melbourne
• New Zealand
• Hong Kong
• Singapore

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Educational Resources

• www.cancer.gov
• www.cancer.org

Breast cancer 9thWZC 2009
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HELP !

• If you are 40 years of age or older and have not
  had a screening mammogram, schedule one NOW
• In Mumbai call.............
• In Tehran call........
• In London call ..............
• In Karachi call...........
• In Paris Call .........
• In Brussells Call.......
• In Canada Call...........
• In the USA Call.........
• In Hongkong Call......
• In Sydney Call......

Breast cancer 9thWZC 2009
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Breast Cancer The Future

• Digital Mammography

Breast cancer 9thWZC 2009
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BREAST CANCER

• The Value of a Base Line mammogram
• Importance of Comparison studies

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GOAL

• To reach every eligible Zoroastrian
  Woman Worldwide  with educational material and
  information about available resources over the
  next eight years.

Breast cancer 9thWZC 2009
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Breast Cancer 9th WZC - Dubai

• Looking for partners
• Looking for solutions

Breast cancer 9thWZC 2009
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Breast Cancer 9th WZC- Dubai

• Questions ?

Breast cancer 9thWZC 2009