She called it her blessing in disguise. Donna Neuner, “Bosom Buddies” support group leader, found comfort in a Christmas-time tragedy. Ten years ago, at age 52, Neuner was diagnosed with breast cancer after receiving a mammogram. She frantically scanned her brain for someone she knew who had breast cancer, but she came up blank. Neuner found support from co-workers who revealed their experiences with breast cancer. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy only days before Christmas.

Neuner said she was grateful because having breast cancer helped her reorganize priorities and realize what was most important. “It was the most meaningful Christmas,” Neuner said. “It was beautiful because I got through it and I was still alive.” The 20th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a campaign designed to educate women about breast cancer and prevention methods, kicked off Oct. 1. The third Friday in October, Oct. 15 this year, is National Mammography Day. It was first proclaimed by President Clinton in 1993. Radiologists throughout the nation will offer discounted or free mammograms Friday.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women in Kansas, according to the American Cancer Society. Yearly breast cancer screenings in Kansas are on the rise, despite a national drop in 2000 from 69.1 percent to 66 percent in 2002, according to the society. In Kansas, nearly 63.2 percent of women in 2002 had a mammogram, up from 61.9 percent in 2000. The reason: public awareness campaigns, better insurance coverage and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

David Sostarich, director of radiology services at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, said the rise in mammogram rates was due in part to marketing strategies. Sue McDaneld, director at the Topeka branch of the American Cancer Society, said Lawrence had an active community with a core group focused on awareness. Lawrence has several support groups and health care advocates that help people combat financial limitations, such as lack of health coverage and high insurance deductibles. “There is a huge interest in making people aware of breast cancer,” McDaneld said. According to the American Cancer Society, 96 percent of breast cancer deaths reported from 1996 to 2000 occurred in women 40 years and older. Some methods of prevention include mammograms, clinical breast exams, self-exams, moderate consumption of alcohol and monitored weight. Kansas groups, such as the Breast Cancer Action, Inc., are contributing to a year-round effort to educate women on the importance of self-breast exams and mammograms. “The earlier the detection, the better the survival rate,” Judy Hollingshead, chairperson of the Breast Cancer Action, Inc., said. The group was developed to support women who had cancer and to raise awareness in Lawrence. The group sponsors annual health fairs where it passes out shower cards and stickers to remind women to do a self-breast exam every month. The group has also spoken to several groups in the community, including churches, the Salvation Army and students at the University of Kansas.

Members of the group share personal survival stories and encourage women to get a yearly mammogram if they are 40 years or older. Hollingshead was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986 at the age of 36. As a registered nurse at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, she knew the American Cancer Society emphasized that mammograms were the best way to detect cancer, but since she was younger than 40, a self-breast exam was the next best thing. “I am an advocate of self-breast exams, because I found mine through a self-exam,” Hollingshead said. She said another reason so many women were getting mammograms was the increased support from celebrities who have backed breast cancer awareness.

The Breast Cancer Action, Inc. group also offers a support group called “Bosom Buddies” focused toward survivors. Breast cancer survivors share their personal stories with other women who have similar experiences. The “Bosom Buddies” meet at 5:30 p.m. Mondays at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor-Chapel, 1429 Kasold Dr. Women ages 40 years to 64 years old who do not have health coverage or have a high insurance deductible are less likely to get a mammogram, according to the Lawrence Department of Health.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment found a link between mammograms and social economic disadvantages. For example, Asian-American women were least likely to get a mammogram. Only 46 percent had a mammogram in 2000, compared to 53 percent of African-Americans, 48 percent of Hispanics and 57 percent of Caucasians.

By state and federal law, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Center Program must provide low-income women with regular breast and cervical screenings. A woman is considered low-income if she meets Federal poverty guidelines.

The KDHE and the CDC developed Early Detection Works, a program that provided free clinical breast exams, mammograms, Pap tests and diagnostic services for low-income, minority and older women in Kansas. As of July 2003, approximately 14,000 women have been screened through the Early Detection Works program and almost 2,100 have been diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. The program also offers ongoing public awareness through newspaper articles, brochures, posters, radio advertisements and outreach workers.

“There is no excuse for anyone not to have a mammogram,” said Renee Kelley, director of public relations for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. According to the society, two common forms of tumors are linked to breast cancer: in situ and invasive. In situ tumors are cancerous, but have not spread from their origin. This type of cancer is almost always treatable. The other, invasive, is a cancerous tumor which invades the fatty tissue.

The risk factors vary from age, family history and late menopause, but breast cancer can be prevented. Early detection is the best way to increase the survival rate and improves treatment options. After diagnosis, someone with breast cancer may undergo surgery, radiation therapy or systemic therapy.