Educational

Komen Siouxland Affiliate to Host 1st Annual Breast Health Symposium

Faces of Breast Cancer – Patients, Providers, Survivors

Someone dies of breast cancer every 69 seconds. The Komen Siouxland Affiliate, in an effort to educate the community on breast cancer, will be hosting the 1st Annual Komen Siouxland Breast Health Symposium, The Faces of Breast Cancer, on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Western Iowa Tech Community College. This all day symposium will focus on patients, providers and survivors and will offer educational sessions for all three. The keynote speaker at the event will be Diana Rowden , survivorship and outcomes vice president for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 

For more information or to download the registration form click:  2012 Symposium Registration Brochure  You can also register online here.

We are currently accepting applications for educational vendor displays.  Vendor Application Form

Organizers are inviting the public to submit artistic renderings, in all mediums, of persons close to them who have been affected by breast cancer. This may include, but is not limited to, mothers, fathers, children, husbands, wives, doctors and nurses. These can be pen/ink drawings, pencil sketches, crayon drawings, paintings, etc. This is open to people of all ages. Several of  these will be selected for use in promotional materials for the symposium and all will be part of The Faces of Breast Cancer display at the Saturday Symposium. Faces of Breast Cancer forms are available through the June E. Nylen Cancer Center, The Sioux City Art Center or by clicking on:  Faces of Breast Cancer Sketch Form

For more information on the symposium or the display and exhibits, contact Barb Pieper, PieperBK@stlukes.org or the local Komen office, 712-277-1553.

What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a type of cancer where cells in the breast tissue divide and grow without the usual controls on cell death and cell division.

What are the signs of breast cancer?
The signs of breast cancer are not the same for all women. In fact, some women have no signs that they can see. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor right away:

• A lump, hard knot or thickening
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
• Change in breast size or shape
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
• New pain in one spot

What causes breast cancer?
It's a question women want a straight answer to. At the present time, scientists believe that breast cancer is caused by a combination of both known and unknown factors including genetics (such as family history of breast cancer), lifestyle choices (such as diet and alcohol use) and reproductive factors (such as age of menarche and menopause). For more information regarding risk factors, please click here.

What are fibrocystic changes?
Lumpiness plus tenderness or pain at certain times of the month is called fibrocystic breast changes. These changes are a normal part of the menstrual cycle. Women are most likely to notice them in the premenstrual phase of the cycle, or if women are past menopause, when taking hormones. Fibrocystic changes do not increase your chance of getting breast cancer. In contrast, a breast lump that should be checked is one that does not change with your cycle. Any persistent lump or thickening should be checked by your health care provider.