Breast Cancer An opportunity to save Lives Behram Pastakia Metropolitan Washington DC USA 9 th World Zoroastrian Congress, Dubai 2009
Jan 03, 2016
Breast Cancer
An opportunity to save Lives
Behram PastakiaMetropolitan Washington DC USA9th World Zoroastrian Congress, Dubai 2009
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
Defining the Problem
Adversely Impacts family stability
Emotional turmoil in children Physical and Mental stress
on caregivers Drains financial resources
Breast cancer: 9thWZC 2009
Solution
Screening Mammography
Breast cancer: 9thWZC 2009
Barriers
Lack of awareness among eligible women
Lack of screening facilities
Breast cancer: 9thWZC 2009
Eligible Women - Definition
40 years old and above
Periodic screenings (at least once every two years)
Breast cancer: 9thWZC 2009
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
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
Reason Versus Reality
No cancer in my family
You could be the exception.
Breast Cancer - 9thWZC - Dubai
Reason Versus Reality
The test is uncomfortable.
I'm too shy.
The discomfort is temporary.
Your privacy will be protected.
Breast cancer: 9thWZC 2009
Reason Versus Reality
The x-rays may cause cancer
Breast cancer risk is greater than the minimal risk of radiation from the test.
Breast Cancer - 9thWZC 2009
AWARENESS
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Ladies’ Night
Breast Cancer - 9thWZC Dubai
AWARENESS
“Race for the Cure”
Goes Global in 2010
Breast Cancer - 9th WZC - Dubai
RESOURCES
Toll free 1-888-258-3432 Audio Health Library
Topics: 5248 Mammograms 5211 Breast Self Exam 3506 Breast CancerBreast cancer: 9thWZC 2009
Screening Facilities
UK – National Health Service USA- ACR accredited facilities Canada – Provincial Health Services
Iran – Tehran – well covered Iran (? Yazd, Isfahan, Kerman)
Breast Cancer - 9thWZC - Dubai
Screening Facilities
Mumbai – Private institutions Mumbai - Parsi General Hospital
South Gujarat – Bulsar, Udvada, Vapi Navsari, Billimora,
Gujarat - AhmedabadBreast Cancer - 9th WZC -
Dubai
Screening Facilities
Sydney Melbourne New Zealand Hong Kong Singapore
Breast cancer - 9thWZC - Dubai
Educational Resources
www.cancer.gov
www.cancer.org
Breast cancer: 9thWZC 2009
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
Breast Cancer – The Future
Digital Mammography
Breast cancer: 9thWZC 2009
BREAST CANCER
The Value of a Base Line mammogram
Importance of Comparison studies
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
Breast Cancer 9th WZC - Dubai
Looking for partners
Looking for solutions
Breast cancer: 9thWZC 2009
Breast Cancer 9th WZC- Dubai
Questions ?
Breast cancer: 9thWZC 2009