Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

$4 Million To Be Used For Dianosis, Treatment Of Breast Cancer

Dr. Sandra B. Nichols, Director

Arkansas Department of Health

When Governor Huckabee signed the Breast Cancer Act into law on March 12, for many it was an extremely emotional event.

Friends and relatives of breast cancer victims crowded into the Governor's Conference Room to witness the bill becoming an official state law. The Breast Cancer Act of 1997 dedicated $4 million for diagnosis, treatment and research of the disease.

A notable part of the signing ceremony was the Governor's introduction of his friend, Rev. Greg Kirksey of Benton, whose wife died of breast cancer at the age of 39 in 1995. As the two men hugged each other, they struggled to maintain composure.

"This is one of the people for whom this bill is dedicated," said the Governor. Kirksey, who had worked for passage of the bill, said he now fears for his teenage daughter, who is also at risk of breast cancer.

The lead sponsor of the bill, present for the signing, was also painfully familiar with the issue.

Rep. Josetta Wilkins of Pine Bluff, a breast cancer survivor, sponsored a similar bill in 1995 that did not pass. This time around, passage was a personal triumph for her. "I worked for years to see this measure through, because it is essential that all women have access to early testing and treatment, which many women just cannot afford," she says.

According to co-sponsor William `Billi' Fletcher Jr. of Lonoke, the bill was close to his heart. "My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, and we still live on pins and needles.

"Everyone who needs treatment should have access to it. The bottom line is we're going to save some lives with this law and that's pretty exciting in this line of work."

For women in the 21 counties where mammograms are not available, the legislation is expected to provide transportation. Mobile mammogram units will also be used.

The American Cancer Society says breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in America. Every womman is at risk, but a woman is at higher risk if she:

• has a mother, sister or daughter who has the disease;

• never had children or had a first child after age 30; or

• is over the age of 50 (the risk of breast cancer increases with age).

There will be 186,000 new diagnoses this year in the U.S. with 1,900 of those cases in Arkansas.

About 400 Arkansans die from breast cancer each year. It is predicted that the Breast Cancer Act, through screening and early detection, will increase the chance of recovry and prevent one-third of those deaths each year.

The Breast Cancer Control Program established by the law will be administered by the Health Department and will become effective July 1.

A federally-funded Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program has been operated by the Arkansas Department of Health since September 1995. This program provides screenings and limited diagnostic services for low- income women over age 50 who have no insurance or whose insurance won't pay for the screenings.

During 1996, 692 abnormal clinical breast exams, 442 abnormal mammograms, and 105 abnormal pap smears were diagnosed. Without the program, 42 women might not have known they had cancer. The program also collaborates with the Arkansas Health Care Access Foundation whose physicians provide voluntary medical services for women unable to afford diagnostic follow-up.

Now, with the additional funds, services will be extended to an estimated 15,000 additional women.. The Cancer Research Fund, also provided by the Breast Cancer Act, will be administered by the University of Arkansas system to seek causes and cures for breast cancer.

For now, the best protection against breast cancer is early detection and prompt treatment. Every woman should:

• perform a breast self-examination every month.

• have a clinical breast examination every three years between the age of 20 and 39 and yearly beginning at age 40.

• have mammograms every one to two years between the ages of 40 and 49 and every year after the age of 50, or follow the schedule recommended by her doctor.