Fitness center encourages women to do self-exams; offers discounts to local women who receive mammograms or support cause.

The probability of a woman being diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during her life is about one in eight. And, the probability of dying from breast cancer is about one in 35, according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer death rates are going down, the Association says, which is probably a result of finding the cancer earlier and receiving improved treatment.

That is why Curves’ locations, including the one located at 301 Kelly Dr., Ste. 10 in Peachtree City, are encouraging women to get annual mammograms and perform monthly breast self-exams during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. Women who make a $30 donation to the American Cancer Society will be waived from paying a service fee when they join Curves by October 31. Also, participating Curves locations will make available a unique home breast self-exam kit called the Liv Aid, which makes the breast self-exam process more sensitive for detecting unusual lumps. For every Liv Aid kit sold, Curves will donate one to another woman who can’t afford one.

“Breast cancer is by far the common cancer among women worldwide, and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a perfect opportunity for us to emphasize ways of prevention,” says Deborah Sanders of the Peachtree City Curves. “Not only are we rewarding women for having mammograms and encouraging them to perform breast-exams, we are also educating Peachtree City - area community members about the disease and how they can significantly reduce their risk through diet and exercise.”

Based on recent information released about breast cancer, Sanders has provided the following advice for local women regarding breast self-exams.

How can women exercise good breast health?

Most women who think of screening for breast cancer think of mammograms, but there are three ways to screen for breast cancer: mammography, clinical breast exam by a healthcare professional and breast self-exams. When combined, they offer the best opportunity to detect the disease at its earliest, most treatable stages.

How important is early detection?

Early detection means the availability of more treatment options. More than 95 percent of women whose breast cancer is caught in its earliest stages are more likely to be healthy and disease-free five years after their diagnosis and treatment, Sanders said.

How important are breast self-exams?

Breast self-exams catch a significant number of breast cancers, some 15 to 20 percent, that otherwise might have gone undetected for possibly up to a year between doctor visits, Sanders said. And, about 80 percent of breast cancers not discovered by mammography are found by women themselves. Through breast self-exams, women are in the position to detect subtle changes in their breast tissue.

Recent research has linked obesity and excess weight with an increased risk for various cancers, including breast cancer. According to Sanders, Curves has been a long-committed partner in the fight against cancer, raising millions of dollars annually for research treatment, and recovery programs. The company has helped millions of women around the world lose millions of pounds and move away from all types of diseases.

“When women understand that one-third of all breast cancer can be related to lack of exercise and poor diet, they’ll see that they have the opportunity to have much more control over their cancer risk,” Sanders said. “We want to encourage women to learn more about the impact wellness has on preventing cancer.”

Today (Oct. 24) many Peachtree City Curves members will be walking in the Strides event in Atlanta. “We are still taking members, just go to the Strides web site, look up Peachtree City Curves and join our team,” said Sanders.

For more information about Curves of Peachtree City and a schedule of events for October it’s waiving the service fee, contact Deborah Sanders at 770-487-5673 or 9ZAVCBY@curvesmail.com.

About Curves

Curves works every major muscle group with a complete 30-minute workout that combines strength training and sustained cardiovascular activity through safe and effective hydraulic resistance. Curves also works to help women lose weight, gain muscle strength and aerobic capacity, and raise metabolism with its ground breaking, scientifically proven method that ends the need for perpetual dieting. Founders Gary and Diane Heavin are considered the innovators of the express fitness phenomenon that has made exercise available to around four million women globally, many of whom are in the gym for the first time. With nearly 10,000 locations worldwide, Curves is the world’s largest fitness franchise. For more information, please visit: www.peachtreecurves.com.

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