6 locals take the ‘I WILL’ challenge

Kettering Health Network is a faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare system. The network has eight hospitals: Grandview, Kettering, Sycamore, Southview, Greene Memorial, Fort Hamilton, Kettering Behavioral Health and Soin.

One in eight women will be affected by invasive breast cancer. Think of eight of your female friends, co-workers, or family members. That could happen to one of them. It could happen to you.

When breast cancer is found early, there is a better chance that treatment will be effective, according to the National Cancer Institute. One of the methods for early detection is mammograms, which can detect lumps smaller than those felt during a self-exam.

Kettering Breast Evaluation Centers (KBEC) recommend that women over the age of 40 get mammograms on an annual basis. To stress the importance of an annual mammogram, KBEC asked a number of active, busy women in the Dayton area to take the “I WILL” challenge — to take the time to get a mammogram. They explain why it was important to them to take the time and schedule a mammogram.

Julie Curd of Beavercreek, teacher, Beavercreek City Schools: "It is so important to have annual screenings because cancer can be defeated! I have friends and family who are breast cancer survivors because of early detection."

Erin Hoeflinger of Springboro, president, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Ohio: "The answer boils down to three numbers: one in eight and one-third. One in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime and one-third of the women over 40-years-old in this country have not had a mammogram in the last two years."

Jackie Parrish of Hamilton, a community leader: "Be responsible for your own health by having a mammogram every year, even though you may not enjoy it. Early detection was the key for me."

Michelle Riley of Dayton, executive officer of The Foodbank: "Early detection is the key to a cure. We women set so many good examples for each other, let this be yet another way we look out for ourselves and those that we love."

Jenell Ross of Centerville, president of the Bob Ross Auto Group, founder Norma J. Ross Foundation and Pink Ribbon Driven: "It is important to have annual screenings to help with early detection. This allows treatment to begin sooner and can help to minimize the spreading of the disease along with increasing chances for survival."

Leatha Savage of Dayton, police officer City of Dayton: "I choose to have an annual mammogram because of being a wife, mother, friend and police officer. Also, I am an advocate for women to take care of themselves and not just all the others in their (our) lives."

Take the challenge yourself and schedule your mammogram. You can challenge others to do the same and share the message of breast health using #IWillTakeTime.

About the Author