Health District locations ‘puttin’ on the pink’
as part of Komen Foundation’s Passionately Pink Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 17, 2008
LAS VEGAS –The Southern Nevada Health District ‘s public health centers in Henderson and North Las Vegas will be “puttin’ on the pink” in recognition of Passionately Pink Day, Tuesday, Oct. 21 as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The health district’s Spring Valley location will do the same on Friday, Oct. 24.
Passionately Pink is a campaign through the Susan G. Komen Foundation that serves as a fundraising and awareness opportunity in the search for a breast cancer cure. The health district’s staff members in Henderson, North Las Vegas and Spring Valley will wear pink on their respective days to educate women and men about the importance of testing for breast cancer.
According to the CDC, Nevada’s rate of breast cancer is 106 per 100,000; the national rate is 117 per 100,000. Breast cancer is surpassed only by prostate cancer as the leading cause of new cancer cases in Nevada. The Susan G. Komen foundation reports on its website that approximately 182,460 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women this year. Worldwide, as many as 25 million women and men are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in the next 25 years. Of that number, 10 million are likely to die from the illness. Many of these cases will be seen in the developing world.
Screenings such as self-exams and regular mammograms can help detect changes in the breasts. This can lead to early intervention and treatment if breast cancer is detected.
The Southern Nevada Health District is a service provider for Women’s Health Connection, a breast and cervical cancer early detection program available to Nevada women at no cost. The program is made possible by funding by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women’s Health Connection services include annual pelvic exams and pap smears, clinical breast exams and some diagnostic services. Women over age 50 are also eligible to receive an annual mammogram. To be eligible for Women’s Health Connection, a woman must be age 40 and older, she must not have Medicaid or Medicare part B, she does not participate in an HMO, she is uninsured or underinsured and meets certain income guidelines.
For more information on these and other services offered at the Southern Nevada Health District’s public health centers, please visit www.southernenevadahealthdistrict.org or call 702-759-1000.
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The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.