October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Core Care held an open house on 10/7/03 featuring education sessions on early detection and risk factors. Core Care also participated in the South Jersey Breast Cancer Walkathon.

Breast Cancer in New Jersey alone, there were 6,512 women with incidences of breast cancer in 1999. Of these 6,512 women, 1,347 women lost their lives to the disease. For the year 2002, this number is estimated to rise to 6,900 cases with 1,400 women losing their lives. Breast cancer ranks number one in frequency in New Jersey and is second only to lung and bronchial cancer in mortality rates.*

Certain risk factors exist that help to determine the possibility of developing breast cancer such as family history, having your first child after the age of 30 (or have no children) or being over the age of 50. Other behaviors, however, may help to decrease the probability of developing breast cancer. Thirty minutes of physical exercise four to five days a week, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and talking with your doctor about the risks of cancer and other diseases are examples of this.**

* New Jersey Cancer Facts & Figures in collaboration with the American Cancer Society,
Eastern Division & NJ Department of Health and Senior Services

** American Cancer Society Website