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