Speaking Volumes

Before the month gets away from me I'd like to mention Breast Cancer Awareness Month. October was chosen more than  20 years ago as the month dedicated to increasing the awareness of breast cancer issues. The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month affiliate (NBCAM) describes themselves as a group "comprised of several national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working in partnership to build breast cancer awareness, share information and provide access to screening services. NBCAM, and www.nbcam.org, are a year-round resource for patients, survivors, caregivers and the general public. According to Diana Rowden of Susan G. Komen, the five year survival rate for breast cancer when caught early is 98%, ared with 74% i82.

Though most breast cancer occurs in women, men do get breast cancer also.  Few realize that men do have breast tissue.  According to breastcancer.org,, "less than 1% o breast cancers occur in men. In 2005, when 211,400 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States, 1,690 men were diagnosed with the disease.

For a first person account of one man's journey with this type of cancer read:

 Saving Jack: A Man's Struggle with Breast Cancer by Jack Willis



We also have an informative booklet put out by the American Cancer Society
called Male Breast Cancer , which can be found on our shelves at
 616.49 AMERICAN PAMPHLET.


Most of our  non-fiction books about about breast cancer can be found at 616.99449 or ask a librarian for help.

Some helpful websites:National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Website
http://www.nbcam.org/
Susan G. Kormen for the Cure Site
http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm
Network for Strength - formely Y-ME, Connecticut Affliate
http://www.networkofstrength.org/connecticut/
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp

Health & Wellness Database

                                                                                                                                         

For the past several years the subscribers of the Fiction_L mailing list  have compiled the definitive list of fiction titles that deal with breast cancer. If you do not find them on our shelves, a copy can be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan.

Agnes Browne Brendan O'Carroll
Ask again later Jill D