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FDA Home Page | Search FDA Site | FDA A-Z Index | Contact FDA
June 27, 2002
To Friends of Women's Health:
We invite you to become a member of the FDA/Office of Women's Health-sponsored "Pink Ribbon Sunday" Team. If you believe that early detection of breast cancer saves lives and you are willing to roll up your sleeves to educate women in your community ... this program is for you! We are ready to help you find free materials.
What Is Pink Ribbon Sunday -- It is a public education campaign that started in Houston, TX. Our FDA Public Affairs Specialist, Sheryl Baylor, cosponsored educational activities with the local American Cancer Society in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The program encouraged minority churches to educate their congregations about the use of mammography equipment as an early breast cancer detection tool. Churches were empowered to develop their own activities, ranging from inspirational guest speakers ... to table displays ... to culturally appropriate educational material. Over the years support for this program grew to include 153 participating churches reaching approximately 110,000 women and their families in the Houston metropolitan area.
What Other Communities Have Done -- Participating churches put together start--up kits which consisted of pink balloons, pink ribbons, pencils, breast cancer brochures, and a disposable camera to create a memory book for the church. In addition, each city established a planning committee and tailored its activities to meet the needs of their community. We provided the three cities with free educational materials. This FDA/OWH faith-based project later spread from Houston, TX to Washington, DC to Atlanta, GA to Dallas, TX. Here are some highlights from these cities:
Washington, DC -- Held a long weekend of activities. On Friday and Saturday, Howard University Hospital's Cancer Center assigned physicians to participate on six radio talk shows. Listeners were able to call in to ask questions. Radio shows also alerted the city that it was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In addition, October 19th was "Pink Ribbon Sunday" in 22 churches throughout the city.
Atlanta, GA -- Started celebrating with a kick-off in August. A"Pink Tea" party was used to recruit planning committee members from churches across the city. In September, to build interest, a community parade was held for the purpose of promoting "Pink Ribbon Sunday" in October. The event featured a "Battle of the Bands", where mothers and grandmothers turned out to watch their children compete. A health fair and prayer breakfast were held. There was also an educational workshop that included the Governor of Georgia, Georgia's Director of Women's Health, The Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness and the FDA/Office of Women's Health. The Atlanta community held Breast Health Promotion events during the entire month of October.
Dallas, TX -- Began it's activities with an event titled "Gran Conferencia Espiritual y Concierto". Over 600 people from various churches throughout the area attended. This event was conducted by "Congregacion Hispana de Personas Mayores" a very active Hispanic/Latino Senior Citizen's community organization. This "grass roots" project established a partnership with "Congregacion", the American Cancer Society (ACS) and Parkland Health & Hospital System to leverage resources to reach the Hispanic/Latino church communities.
Messages about the need for early detection were discussed and delivered via flyers, pink ribbons, pamphlets, bags and fans. The fan was chosen since it is a traditional symbol in African American and Hispanic churches. On the front of the fans were choir figures, a large pink ribbon and the message, "Unidos En La Lucha Contra El Cancer Del Seno" (United in the Fight Against Breast Cancer). The back entitled "Esparanza y Vida" (Hope & Life) contained more detailed messages about relying on spirituality to fight breast cancer. Hundreds of fans were distributed and used by all attendees, including men. A "Pink Ribbon/Tell-a-Friend" Clergy Luncheon was attended by sixty women. Pink ribbons, candles, flyers, balloons, pencils, bags, fans and brochures were given to participants wanting to conduct a "Pink Ribbon Sunday" observance in their church. The flyers and fans were translated and reproduced in Spanish for citywide distribution.
This Guide -- Is a result of these activities. It was developed in response to requests from groups all over the country that asked for a basic how--to--guide for creating "Pink Ribbon Sunday" activities. We recognize that October is not the only time to deliver this message. We hope that your church will get involved and educate your community throughout the year. Many additional ideas and/or events that come naturally to churches can be done. We have included some of those year--round activities as additional suggestions.
Benefits to Your Community -- Here are just a few.
We encourage you to join our team and develop your own program. We look forward to hearing about your program and success stories.
Marsha
Henderson
Health
Programs Director
Office
of Women's Health
United States Food and Drug Administration
Breast Cancer Resource Committee
2005 Belmont Road, NW, Suite A
Washington, DC 20009
202.463.8040
June 12, 2002
Dear Friends:
My name is Zora Brown and I am a breast cancer survivor. Along with the 1.3 million other breast cancer survivors in the United States today, I am a living testament to the power of early detection and treatment of this insidious disease.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in the United States. Additionally, breast cancer had the highest number of new cases diagnosed last year and one in eight U.S. women, or 12.8 percent, will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. As an African American, this issue is of great importance to us as women, and to our families and communities.
Did you know African Americans are disproportionately affected by breast cancer and have the highest breast cancer mortality, relative to white women? We believe this is because a larger percentage of African American women are diagnosed with breast cancers at a later, less treatable stage. A mammogram is a safe, low-dose x-ray of the breast and reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer. It is important for women, particularly African American women, to get a mammogram. Remember, most women who do receive a mammogram will test negative for breast cancer. The odds are in our favor.
There is more good news. First, we know early detection saves lives and is the best way to detect breast cancer early. Second, the Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA), under the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA), a federal law that makes sure every mammography site meets quality standards, ensures the safety and quality of all mammography equipment in the United States. Third, federal and local government health agencies and community organizations are vigorously responding to this issue. Faith-based and church-affiliated organizations are an excellent example of community organizations finding ways to effectively respond to such an important community issue.
Rooted and centered in the Black church, African Americans have a strong legacy of fighting for civil rights, equality and freedom. The Church can continue this powerful legacy by encouraging breast cancer screenings, treatments and promoting awareness, education, counseling and support to persons affected by breast cancer. This may include offering referrals to local services for the congregation. The enclosed guide and video will give you more ideas on how you may incorporate these health messages into your worship services.
Thanks for allowing me to share my testimony and hopefully this will encourage you to motivate your congregation to share theirs too.
Sincerely,
Zora Brown
Founder and Chair
Breast Cancer Resource Committee
American Cancer Society
Latinos Unidos Contra el Cáncer
Queridas Hermanas,
Mi nombre es Lorena Fierro. A los 31 años fui diagnosticada con el cáncer del seno. Sobreviví a esta terrible enfermedad y soy testigo del poder que ejerce la detección temprana del cáncer. ¡Salvo mi vida!
Soy una en mas de un millión de mujeres que han sobrevivido al cáncer de seno en los estados unidos. Esto ha sido posible por la detección temprana seguida de un tratamiento adecuado e inmediato. Permitanme compartir unos datos importantes con ustedes. Creo vital e importante que sepan lo siguiente:
Entre la comunidad Hispana, es más común la detección del cáncer del seno en estado ya avanzado, cuando es mas dificil de tratar, a diferencia de otros grupos étnicos.
La mujer Hispana esta desaprovechando los examenes de la detección temprana que están disponibles como la mamografía y el auto examen a nivel nacional.
Este asunto es de suma importancia para nosotras las mujeres que tradicionalmente jugamos un papel muy importante en nuestras familias y tambien en nuestras comunidades. Nosotras podemos hacer la diferencia. Hay que doblegar el miedo con una actitud positiva basada en información y responsibilidad para nuestra propio bien y el de otras.
Recomendamos a las mujeres de los 40 años y adelante hacerce un mamograma cada uno a dos años. Y recomendamos a mujeres de 20 años a 39 anos obtener un examen de los senos por us medico cada 3 años. La mamografía (rayos-x del seno) detecta el cáncer del seno.
Usted puede tener confianza en la mamografía, la cual es regulada por la Administración Federal de Alimentos Y Medicinas (FDA), para asegurar la eficacia y la calidad de los aparatos especiales para las mamografía. Así pues, le aseguramos que su mamografía será de la mas alta calidad. Hoy más que antes, las mujeres estan viviendo su vida plena y activa despues de haber sufrido el cáncer del seno. Gracias a la detección temprana!
Agencias federales y estatales junto con organizaciónes comunitarias, estamos respondiendo al problema entre la mujer Hispana y el cáncer del seno. Hay que organizarnos en las iglesias, en las escuelas y en nuestras comunidades para conducir una campaña para la detección temprana de esta enfermedad.
¡Compartamos este mensaje de vida y esperanza! Las invitamos a ustedes a trabajar junto con nosotros en la lucha contra el cáncer del seno para entregar un major futuro a nuestras familias y nuestras comunidades.
Atentamente,
Lorena Fierro,
Voluntaria para la Asociation Americana del Cancer.
The pink ribbon is the symbol for breast cancer awareness.
About one in eight U.S. women will get breast cancer during her lifetime. You can help. You may even save lives.
How? By getting the church more involved.
Churches have always been a major source of education and support. Today, more than 180 million Americans -- more than 7 out of 10 women -- belong to a place of worship.
This is particularly true in African-American and Hispanic communities. Most women of color attend church or other worship services for comfort and guidance -- especially during a health crisis.
As an active member of your church or congregation, you are in a wonderful place to help other women. We all need to learn more about breast cancer and take steps to protect ourselves. This guide tells you how to get started. You'll find three sections:
Every woman is at risk for breast cancer. It's the second most common cancer among women. A woman's risk for breast cancer increases if she:
What causes breast cancer? How can it be prevented? Unfortunately, we don't know the answers to these questions yet. But researchers are trying to find out if things like heredity, diet, lifestyle or environmental factors play a role.
We do know that early detection is the best defense. If you detect breast cancer at its earliest stage, the chance of successful treatment is much higher. That is why doctors, nurses and other health professionals strongly urge women to:
Please refer to the National Cancer Institute web site (www.cancer.gov) for this information.
Signs of breast cancer include any of these changes in the breast:
Most lumps are not cancerous -- 80% are caused by other things. But to be safe, a woman should see a doctor right away if she finds any of these symptoms.
Note: This advice applies to men too. Even though men are far less likely than women to get breast cancer, they can get it.
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray of the breast. It is both fast and safe. Many hospitals, clinics, x-ray centers and mobile vans offer mammograms.
A trained expert puts the breast between two plastic plates that gently spread it out. He or she then takes two pictures: one from above and one from the side. A special doctor, called a radiologist, then examines the pictures.
You should receive your results by mail within 30 days. If not, call the facility. Keep your original mammogram and use it if you get a second opinion from another doctor.
Note: Tell the mammography staff if you have breast implants. These can make it more difficult for the staff to see problems in a mammogram.
All facilities that offer mammograms in the U.S. must meet high standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In fact, it's a law, called the Mammography Standards Quality Act (MQSA).
Always look for an MQSA certificate. It shows that the staff has completed special training and that the equipment has been properly inspected.
To get members of your church interested, try this two--step plan. First, do an activity to raise awareness of the basics (topics in Section 1 of this guide). Combine this activity with one of your routine activities like "Women's Day", health fairs, or workshops.
Then, do a follow-up activity in a more homey or comfortable setting. That's when people can get more details on diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials and other topics.
A regular worship service would be a good time to raise your church's awareness of breast cancer. Start with your own church. Then branch out to others.
A brief talk can be a powerful way to get people interested. Ask the reverend or pastor to speak alone or try bringing in a guest speaker, like a breast cancer survivor, a doctor or a representative from a breast cancer organization.
When planning this activity, first speak with leaders of the church and gain their support. You'll also want to ask these questions:
You and the guest speaker should remain after the service for 20 to 30 minutes. This will give you the chance to greet members of the church, answer any questions and create interest in follow-up activities.
The first discussion should lead to a more in-depth breast cancer education program. With proper advance notice, this can take place right after the service. Or it can be planned for another day. It should be well organized, informative and brief.
Arrive early to the follow-up activities to set up displays and pass out handouts, including brochures, buttons and/or bookmarks. Special pink ribbons are also a great idea -- they are a symbol of the fight against breast cancer. To get these materials, contact your local hospital or any of the organizations listed in Section 3 of this guide.
Suggested topics for this activity include:
Your church can use several methods to encourage women to get a mammogram, including:
Some ideas to inspire your church to organize ongoing activities about breast cancer include:
Your church should be ready to point women in the right direction for breast cancer information and services. Here are some helpful resources.
Women can find the nearest mammography facility with FDA approval by calling:
The church should keep a list of the local hospitals, clinics and managed care organizations that provide the following services for women seeking breast cancer treatment:
For free or low cost health services go to http://ask.hrsa.gov/pc/
In many areas of the U.S., women with breast cancer and their families can find a variety of support groups. For example, there are many hospital--based programs as well as local chapters of the following groups:
The church breast cancer committee should keep a file on the treatment options that are available for women who are uninsured, underinsured and/or do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. This list might include volunteer doctors, local charities and other sources of help.
Some women might be eligible for a free or low--cost mammogram. Call your local hospital or clinic for more information.
And don't forget to offer meals, babysitting, counseling and comfort for the entire family.
It's worth making a connection with your local hospital or clinic. They can provide a wide range of materials and support. Keep a file of this information at your house of worship for quick reference -- especially the useful phone numbers and Web sites.
At the national level, you'll find these resources helpful:
The American
Cancer Society
1-800-ACS-2345
www.cancer.org
National Cancer Data Base (NCDB)
The National
Cancer Institute
1-800-4-CANCER (The Cancer
Information Service)
www.cancer.gov
Physicians Data Query (PDQ)
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
1-888-842-6355
www.cdc.gov/cancer/
Breast Cancer Resource Committee
2005 Belmont Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-463-8040
202-463-8015 (Fax)
and
The Food and Drug Administration
Office of Women's Health
1-800-INFO-FDA
www.fda.gov/womens/
The Office of Women's Health would like to acknowledge the hard work of many people in creating this Guide. Sheryl Baylor who was the catalyst for this program. She brought to our attention Houston's interest in reaching women with breast cancer information in church settings. Reverend Adora Iris Lee who planned the activities in Washington, DC and created the program title "Pink Ribbon Sunday". JoAnn Pittman whose constant creativity made this an educational and funfilled activity across the Atlanta metropolitan area. Maria Velasco who built upon our efforts in the African American community and translated the materials for Latinas. And of course, all of the FDA/OWH Outreach staff who have worked tirelessly on this project including Chandra Smith Collier, Alison Lemon, Sherry Williams and especially our George Washington University graduate students Jameta Barlow and Elizabeth David. Special thanks to our OWH Director, Dr. Susan Wood, who provided financial support and guidance throughout this process.
Most importantly we thank the hundreds of churches and their members who have conducted "Pink Ribbon Sunday" activities since its inception in 1996. They have worked in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Resource Committee, local hospitals, health departments and survivor groups. Working together we have formed an impressive team to reach women with the message, "Early Detection Saves Lives."