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The fight isn’t over

Breast cancer awareness ceremony is held

PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS — Among representatives of the Women in Action Against Cancer Coalition involved in the 20th-annual Ohio Mammography Day Wreath Ceremony held Wednesday evening at the Kay Corabi Community Room in Steubenville were, from left, Janet Pillar, Janet Sharpe, breast cancer survivor speaker Tammy Smedley, Leslie Aftanas and Jean Lamatrice. - Janice Kiaski

STEUBENVILLE — The past 30 years have brought advances in the fight against breast cancer, thanks to screening mammography and new treatments that have decreased the mortality rate of breast cancer by more than 30 percent.

But the fight is far from over, according to Dr. Alexis Smith, director of breast imaging at Images Mammography Center in Steubenville.

“It is estimated that in 2016, there will be 231,840 new invasive breast cancers diagnosed in the United States and 60,290 new noninvasive breast cancers,” Smith told the audience on hand Wednesday for the Women in Action Against Cancer Coalition’s 20th-annual Ohio Mammography Day Wreath Ceremony held at the Kay Corabi Community Room in Steubenville.

“About 40,290 women in the United States will die from breast cancer in 2016, and that’s 40,290 too many,” said Smith, who urged the audience to raise awareness, support those diagnosed and donate to organizations such as WIAACC “that are on the front lines battling this disease until a cure is found.”

The ceremony to honor breast cancer survivors and remember those who lost their fight also included Smith’s statistics that one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

In 2015, there were 9,714 new breast cancers diagnosed in Ohio, 57 of them in Jefferson County.

“To the survivors in the audience, I want you to know that you inspire all of us with your strength, grace and ability to overcome obstacles, no matter how big they are,” Smith said. “Working with survivors has taught me and countless others many life lessons, including don’t sweat the small stuff, find humor in everything you do and take life one day at a time.”

The WIAACC ceremony included participation from Joyce Summers, who offered the prayer; Jean Lamatrice, treasurer, welcoming remarks; Janet Pillar, corresponding secretary; and Janet Sharpe, who has been involved with the organization since its formation in 1994 and asked its members in attendance to stand and be acknowledged.

Sharpe called the coalition members “the greatest group to work with,” but added its estimated 25-person roster can stand bolstering. Anyone interested in joining the group dedicated to advancing public awareness of cancer, providing education to the community on preventative health screening and increasing the number of people who use screening methods for early detection can call (740) 264-2710.

Bloomingdale-area resident Tammy Smedley delivered the survivor’s story, noting she was diagnosed with stage 2A breast cancer in 2012 after having ignored cysts she assumed would go away. Treatment included 20 rounds of chemotherapy and a mastectomy.

Smedley praised the Tony Teramana Treatment Center for her care there and WIAACC for the work it does in helping women. “I want to tell others about WIAACC,” she said. “I want to be here to say I didn’t do the breast exams. I didn’t do what I was supposed to do.”

She also praised her family members for their support and said she’d like to help cancer patients who may not have that same luxury that she has been blessed to experience.

WIAACC member Marlene Lesnansky presented bracelets to breast cancer survivors in attendance, including Smedley, Pillar, Summers, Ann Craig, Kelli Knight, Jean Hanlin, Becky McMasters, Carolyn McCamic, Joanne Pedersen and Susan Arlotta.

The evening ceremony also included musical selections by Jefferson County Commissioner Thomas Graham and the reading of proclamations by 5th Ward councilman William “Willie” Paul and Dave Maple, county commissioner, both of which were presented to Leslie Aftanas, WIAACC co-chairman.

WIAACC meets at noon on the first Wednesday of the month, except for December, January and July. Its partnership with the Women’s Health Center to offer free breast and cervical exams and mammograms when indicated for the uninsured and the underinsured resulted in 120 women receiving services this year alone.

WIAACC organizes various fundraisers, the next one being a car and bike cruise to be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Manfred’s Lounge and Catering, 4152 Sunset Blvd. The registration fee is $5. The event will include a 50-50 drawing, door prizes, 50 dash plaques, free food and music. For information, contact Leslie at (740) 264-1710.

(Kiaski can be contacted at jkiaski@heraldstaronline.com.)

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