Philly's Bebashi Program Holds 4th Annual "Breast Fest"

Philadelphia's Bebashi Transition to Hope program invites women to join them as they host their 4th Annual "Breast Fest," to raise awareness about breast cancer and educate women on the importance of routine screening and preventative practices.

"Our program really focuses on African-American women, and researchers have found that while they are less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, they are more likely to die from it if diagnosed," said Bebashi's Development & Communications Assistant Lauren Tankersly. "The problem is, among African-American women, there is not early detection. They are not participating in routine screenings, so when cancer is found, it's at a late state."

The "Breast Fest" event will be a free luncheon with presentations from guest speakers, workshops on Self Breast Exams (SBE's), raffle prizes and gift incentives for all women who receive a Clinical Breast Exam (CBE).

Bebashi will feature presentations from speakers including Dr. Lorena Marshall-Blake, vice-president of Community Affairs for Independence Blue Cross, an expert on diabetes, plus several other guest speakers. Dr. Helena Kwakwa and Anastasia Grey will perform clinical breast exams.

The Fox Chase Cancer Center Mobile Mammography Unit will also be on site to provide free mammograms to women in need. All participants must bring either a prescription or referral from a medical provider, and this service is limited to 20 slots.

"Women will need to get a prescription from their doctor for the mammogram, but they don't need a prescription for the clinical breast exam," said Tankersly. "We also have a couple non-breast health-related screenings, including a free oral cancer screening from the University of Penn Dental School, free testing for HIV, STIs and Hepatitis C -- we just started doing that."

Tankersly said that for the crew at Bebashi, the program is really special because their deputy director, Linda Martin, is a breast cancer survivor.

"As a breast cancer survivor, I cannot express enough the importance of early detection," said Martin. "Bebashi's Breast Health program, Our Bodies, is committed to educating and linking African-American women who are uninsured or underinsured to appropriate diagnostic services and treatment. The message Bebashi has resonated over the last several years, prompted me to be diligent about my breast health, thus allowing me to detect and receive the necessary life saving treatment."

Launched in 2008, Our Bodies Breast Health Program is an innovative program target uninsured and underinsured African-American women, age 40 and older, in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area. Our Bodies is designed to increase breast health literacy, assist women in linking to free or low cost clinical breast examinations and mammograms and provide support for women who experience breast health abnormalities, including breast cancer.

"We will break down the barriers to anything that is preventing these women from getting tested," said Tankersly. "If they don't have insurance, we'll help them get in to participate in a screening. If they can't get around, we'll provide transportation tokens. If they're afraid to go alone, we'll connect them with the bosom buddy program."

Twice as many African-American women who have breast cancer die from it as Caucasian women. An increase in screenings can detect abnormalities sooner and potentially save lives. Last fiscal year, Our Bodies program provided outreach and educational presentations to more than 3,000 women and referred 200 for clinical breast exams and mammograms. Every woman touched by Our Bodies program is encouraged to become an "Ambassador" for breast cancer by inviting loved ones to get a clinical breast exam or mammogram.

"Breast Fest" will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Aug. 13 at the Spring Garden Senior Center, 1221 Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia. For more info or to RSVP, contact Breast Cancer Coordinator Antoinette Johnson at 215-769-3561 x151 or via e-mail at [email protected].