Women to Women Movement

As Miss Tecumseh 2013, my platform is breast cancer prevention and awareness. I've joined the Women to Women movement to help promote my platform. Breast Cancer has affected my life deeply. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2006. She put up a courageous battle but tragically passed away in 2008. Since then I have made it my mission to see the end of cancer. I can't do it alone however, which is why I've joined the movement; To get one step closer to that goal. As an ambassador, I will be giving public education on breast cancer and the importance of mammograms through social media, events, and conversations with other women. 

Mammography is the most reliable method of finding breast cancer and research has shown that women who have mammograms regularly are less likely to have a false positive (when the test results suggest cancer, but none is actually present). Also, if you do have cancer, it is more likely to be detected when you have mammograms regularly. If you are between the ages of 50-69, you should be getting a mammogram every 2 years. This can be done in two simple ways: getting a referral from a doctor, or calling the Ontario Breast Screening Program directly at 1-800-668-9304 to make an appointment. If you are at high risk, like me, then you should be getting a mammogram every year between the ages of 30 to 69. Women considered high risk for breast cancer are those who have genetic factors or a personal or family history suggestive of hereditary for getting breast cancer. Women in this group will need a referral from their doctor or nurse practitioner to book for these screening services.

Below is the Thingamaboob, a tool used by ambassadors to explain the importance of mammograms and early detection. The largest bead shows the size of a lump that can be felt by checking your own breasts. The next smallest shows what might be found through a physical exam by a doctor. The next is what would be detected through a first mammogram. The smallest bead is what would be detected when having regular mammograms. It is crucial to get mammograms so you can detect tumours when they're small. The earlier you can catch, the sooner you can get rid of the cancer and then there is less risk of the cancer returning or spreading.

Part of being an ambassador included fundraising. I am asking you to support me as an ambassador and  make a donation to breast cancer research. Go to my Women to Women Ambassador page to make a donation: http://convio.cancer.ca/goto/lesliefurlan. To learn more about the Women to Women movement go here. If you would like to be an ambassador, you can do so here.