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American Cancer Society
Breast Cancer Awareness
Toolkit
2016
The American Cancer Society is pleased to be working with your company to provide tips for your
employees to help lower their risk of breast cancer, steps to help find it early, as well as information and
messages for those who already have been affected by the disease. Resources such as these help raise
awareness about what employees can do to help lower their risk for breast cancer and provide support if
they are diagnosed with the disease.
Employees appreciate employers that show a caring commitment to their personal needs. You can show
your support to the well-being of your employees by reminding them of the services available through
the American Cancer Society.
Please be sure to cite the American Cancer Society as your source when offering the enclosed
information to your employees. All of the content in this document is updated for 2016. Also, be aware
that changing the text or content of this toolkit might also change the accuracy of certain medical
content, and is not recommended. Thank you again for your commitment to saving lives in the
workplace.
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Table of Contents
Moving From Awareness to Action
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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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How to Use This Breast Cancer Awareness Toolkit
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Email Messages/Newsletter Inserts
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Promotional Messages
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Social Media
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Breast Cancer Quiz
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Breast Cancer Stories of Hope
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Breast Cancer PowerPoint Presentation
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Breast Cancer Videos
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Messages to Use Year-round
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Moving From Awareness to Action
Whether personally or through the experience of a family member, friend, or co-worker, nearly
everyone in your company has been touched by cancer in some way. Still, your employees can make
lifestyle choices to help reduce their cancer risk. About 1 out of 5 cancers diagnosed in the United States
could be prevented if people did what we know works: stay at a healthy weight, eat right, exercise, and
drink alcohol in moderation. Not using tobacco, avoiding tobacco smoke, and getting recommended
cancer screening tests are also ways to reduce your cancer risk. The American Cancer Society is here to
help you encourage your employees to move from awareness to action.
The power of prevention and early detection is clear:
 Regular cancer screening tests can actually prevent colon and cervical cancers before they
start. Screening also can help find some cancers early, when they’re small and haven’t spread
– this is when treatment is more likely to be successful. Early detection could help increase the
survival rates for cancers of the breast, colon, rectum, and cervix.
 Cancers related to cigarette smoking and heavy use of alcohol could be prevented if people
didn’t smoke, avoided secondhand smoke, and limited their alcohol consumption.
 Many skin cancer cases might be prevented if people protected themselves from the sun.
Healthy employees live longer, feel better, and use fewer sick days, all of which help keep health care
costs down. Encouraging your employees to learn the facts about recommended cancer screening tests
and take care of themselves with everyday lifestyle choices, is taking an important step toward creating
a healthy workplace.
Together with the American Cancer Society, your company can save more lives by improving your
employees’ health and well-being, while benefiting your organization’s bottom line.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Breast cancer is also the
second-leading cancer death in women (after lung cancer).
This is where you come in. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Together with the
American Cancer Society, you can encourage your employees to take steps to help lower their risk of
developing breast cancer and help find it early, when it’s easier to treat.
By collaborating with the Society, you can also connect employees facing breast cancer to programs and
services they might need throughout their diagnosis. We encourage you to share these messages during
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and throughout the year.
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How to Use the Breast Cancer Awareness Toolkit
Raising awareness about breast cancer at your company sends the message that you care about the
well-being of your employees and their families. This American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Awareness
Toolkit makes it easy to do just that.
The kit has a variety of communication tools you can use based on your organization’s needs, such as:

The Society’s recommended breast cancer screening guidelines

Sample email and social media messages to send to employees

Articles for your company newsletter or intranet

Promotional messages to post in break rooms and common areas.
All the materials are designed for any size business or organization and can be tailored to your
company’s needs. In addition to the breast cancer awareness information for October, we’re including
messages to share with your employees year-round about nutrition and physical activity, smoking
cessation, and Society resources for people with cancer.
The toolkit is currently available only in English, but the American Cancer Society does offer information
about cancer including prevention, early detection, treatment, and managing side effects in several
languages. The link to Cancer Information in Other Languages has been added on the Content
Subscription Service page in the Additional Resources section.
We’re there when you need us – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week− with the latest cancer information, dayto-day help, and emotional support for those coping with this disease.
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Email Messages/Newsletter Inserts
These email messages and newsletter inserts can be interchanged.
TITLE: National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Learn About Breast Cancer
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year, it is estimated that nearly 250,000
women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Excluding cancers of the skin,
breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. It’s the second leading cancer death in
American women (after lung cancer).
For now, the best way we have to find breast cancer early – when it’s small and has not spread – is for
women to get regular mammograms and continue to do so as long as they’re in good health. At age 40,
women should talk to a health care provider about when to start having mammograms.
In addition, women can take these steps to help lower their risk of breast cancer:



Get to and stay at a healthy weight.
Stay active.
Limit alcohol to no more than one drink a day, if you drink at all.
If you know someone facing breast cancer, tell them that the American Cancer Society is here to help
them every step of the way. The Society offers access to free transportation and lodging when
treatment is away from home, and can provide one-on-one support from breast cancer survivors who
have had similar diagnoses and treatment plans.
The American Cancer Society also funds and conducts research that helps us better understand,
prevent, and find cures for breast cancer – and all cancers. In fact, the Society has been a part of many
major breast cancer research breakthroughs in recent history.
During October we remind women about the importance of breast health and celebrate the progress
we’ve made. You can help! Support the Society by participating in one of the American Cancer Society
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® nationwide events, speak out to increase funding for programs
that give all women access to mammograms and treatment, or simply remind the women in your life to
get regular mammograms.
For more information, visit the American Cancer Society website at cancer.org/breastcancer or call us at
1-800-227-2345.
TITLE: American Cancer Society® Screening Recommendations for Women at
Average Breast Cancer Risk
These guidelines are for women who have an average risk of breast cancer. A woman at average risk
doesn’t have a personal history of breast cancer, a family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation
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known to increase risk of breast cancer (such as BRCA), and has not had chest radiation therapy before
the age of 30.
Women between 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year.
Women between 45 and 54 should get mammograms every year.
Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue
yearly mammograms. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to
live at least 10 more years.
All women should be familiar with how their breasts normally look and feel and report any changes to a
health care provider right away.
All women should understand what to expect when getting a mammogram for breast cancer screening
– what the test can and cannot do.
All women should talk to a health care provider about their breast cancer risk in order to know whether
they should start screening at a younger age or follow a different screening plan.
Regular mammograms can help find breast changes that could be cancer years before physical
symptoms develop. Results of many decades of research clearly show that women who have regular
mammograms are more likely to have breast cancer found early, are less likely to need aggressive
treatment like surgery to remove the breast (mastectomy) and chemotherapy, and are more likely to be
cured.
Mammograms are not perfect. They miss some cancers. And sometimes a woman will be need more
tests to find out if something found on a mammogram is or is not cancer. There’s also a small possibility
of being diagnosed with a cancer that never would have caused any problems had it not been found
during screening. It’s important that women getting mammograms know what to expect and
understand the benefits and limitations of screening.
To learn more about mammograms and breast cancer screening, visit the American Cancer Society
website at cancer.org/breastcancer or call us at 1-800-227-2345. We’re here for you every step of the
way.
TITLE: Mammogram: A Test that Could Help Save Your Life
Scheduling your yearly check-up? Make sure to bring up scheduling a mammogram – the test you need
to help find breast cancer early. It could help save your life.
Regular mammograms can help find breast cancer early, when it’s small, less likely to have spread, and
easier to treat.
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Getting tested for breast cancer can make a dramatic difference in a woman’s chances of surviving the
disease. The 5-year survival rate for women with breast cancer that has not spread outside the breast is
99%. However, if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, the rate drops to 85%. And if it has
spread to other organs, the 5-year survival rate drops to 26%.
So don’t wait – remind the women you care about to get regular mammograms.
Mammograms are not perfect. They can miss some breast cancers, so be sure to see a health care
provider right away if you notice any changes in the way your breasts look and/or feel.
If you have a family or personal history of breast cancer or think you might be at higher risk than other
women, discuss this with your provider so you can decide on the screening schedule that’s right for you.
To learn more about mammograms and breast cancer screening, visit the American Cancer Society
website at cancer.org/breastcancer or call us at 1-800-227-2345. We’re here when you need us – 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.
TITLE: What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray of the breasts that lets specialists look for changes in breast tissue.
 Screening mammograms look for breast disease in women who don’t seem to have breast
problems.
 A diagnostic mammogram is used to diagnose breast disease in women who have breast
symptoms or had an abnormal result on a screening mammogram.
Why should I have one?
A mammogram can often show breast cancer in its early stages, even before a lump can be felt. This is
when treatment can be most successful.
What does it show?
Mammograms can’t prove that an abnormal area is cancer, but they can give information that shows
whether more testing is needed. The 2 main types of breast changes found with a mammogram are
calcifications and masses.
 Calcifications are tiny mineral deposits in the breast tissue. They look like small white spots on
the x-ray pictures. They may or may not be caused by cancer.
 A mass can be many things, including a cyst (fluid-filled sacs) or a non-cancerous tumor, but it
could also be cancer.
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Having your older mammograms available for the radiologist to use for comparison is very important.
They can help show if a mass or calcification has changed over time, which could help the doctor decide
if more tests are needed.
How does it work?
A machine designed only to look at breast tissue is used for a mammogram. The machine takes an x-ray
at lower doses than a usual x-ray. Because these x-rays don’t go through tissue easily, the machine has 2
plates that compress or flatten the breast to spread the tissue apart. This gives a better picture and uses
less radiation.
For more information on breast cancer early detection or mammograms, go to cancer.org/breastcancer
or call the American Cancer Society® at 1-800-227-2345. We’re here every step of the way when you
need us – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
TITLE: Stay Well and Help Lower Your Risk of Breast Cancer
Did you know that you can take steps that could help lower your risk of getting breast cancer? Staying at
a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, and limiting how much alcohol you drink are ways you can
help lower your risk and be healthy.
Watch your weight. Being overweight or obese is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. So, choose
foods that will help you get to and stay at a healthy weight. Here’s how to start:
 Eat at least 2½ cups of a variety of vegetables and fruits each day.
 Try to choose whole grains instead of processed (refined) grains and sugars.
 Limit the amount of red meat and processed meat you eat, especially those high in fat.
 Balance the number of calories you eat with your physical activity.
Exercise. Adults should engage in moderate activity at least 150 minutes a week or 75 minutes of
vigorous activity per week, or an equivalent combination, preferably spread throughout the week.
 Moderate activities make you breathe hard, such as walking briskly, leisurely bicycling,
mowing the lawn, yoga, ice skating, or dancing.
 Vigorous activities increase your heart rate and make you sweat and breathe faster. This type
of activity includes jogging or running, digging, carrying or hauling, jumping rope, or
swimming.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Women should limit their alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink
a day. A drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled
spirits.
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In addition to making healthy lifestyle choices, talk to your health care provider about the breast cancer
screening plan that’s best for you. Screening tests can help find breast cancer early, when it’s easier to
treat.
For more information on the steps you can take to help reduce your risk of breast cancer and other
cancers, too, visit the American Cancer Society website at cancer.org/breastcancer or call us at 1-800227-2345. We’re here for you every step of the way.
TITLE: Are You at Risk for Breast Cancer?
We don’t know how to prevent breast cancer, but there are steps you can take to help lower your risk of
developing the disease. Some risk factors, such as age, race, family history of breast cancer, and
reproductive history, cannot be changed. However, there are lifestyle factors you can change, such as
reducing alcohol use, engaging in regular physical activity, and staying at a healthy weight – all of these
are linked to lower risk.
Being a woman is the greatest risk factor for breast cancer, but men can develop it, too.
As you get older, your breast cancer risk increases. Two out of three women are 55 or older when they
are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
Breast cancer risk is higher among women who have a family history of the disease. Having a firstdegree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer increases a woman’s risk. Still, most
women with breast cancer do not have a first-degree relative with the disease.
Other risk factors include:
 Taking post-menopausal hormone therapy (especially combined estrogen and progestin
therapy)
 Being overweight or obese, especially if weight is gained after menopause
 Drinking alcohol, especially 2 or more drinks daily
 Being physically inactive
 Having a long menstrual history
 Never having children or having your first child after age 30
 Having had chest radiation to treat a different cancer
 Having a personal history of breast cancer
 Having certain benign (non-cancer) breast conditions
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To learn more about breast cancer risk factors and the steps you can take to help reduce your risk, visit
the American Cancer Society website at cancer.org/breastcancer or call us at 1-800-227-2345. We’re
here when you need us – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
TITLE: Share Your PASSION so no one walks alone.
It’s our humanity – determination, hope, empathy, caring, and passion – that gives us an advantage over
breast cancer. The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® walk is a powerful
example of humanity in action. As the largest network of breast cancer events in the nation, the noncompetitive 3- to 5-mile walks raise money and awareness to help create a world free from the pain and
suffering of breast cancer.
Because of you, the Society is there for those touched by breast cancer by helping them deal with a
diagnosis now, in the future, or by avoiding a diagnosis altogether because of education and risk
reduction.
 We’re investing in breast cancer research to better understand, prevent, and treat the
disease.
 We’re providing free information and support wherever and whenever it’s needed 24/7.
 We’re promoting early detection to help find breast cancer when it’s easier to treat.
Join the American Cancer Society at MakingStridesWalk.org or call us at 1-800-227-2345. Share your
passion so no one walks alone.
TITLE: Healthy Reminders for Busy Women
For many women, juggling work, home life, and family leaves little time for them to take care of
themselves. But taking the time to know what cancer screening tests are right for you could help save
your life. The American Cancer Society® encourages you to talk with your health care provider about
screening tests for breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer.
Breast: The American Cancer Society recommends that starting at age 40, women talk to a health care
provider about the mammogram schedule that’s best for them.
If you think you might be at a higher risk for breast cancer, talk with your health care provider to decide
if you should start screening at an earlier age, and if you should have MRIs along with mammograms.
Cervix: Women should start being tested for cervical cancer at age 21.
 Women between the ages of 21 and 29 should have a Pap test every 3 years.
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 Women between 30 and 65 should have a Pap test plus an HPV test every 5 years (or a Pap
test by itself every 3 years).
 Women over age 65 who have had regular cervical cancer testing and have had normal results
can stop getting Pap tests.
If a woman has a history of a serious cervical pre-cancer, she should continue to be tested for at least 20
years after that diagnosis, even if testing continues past age 65.
Colon: This cancer can develop in men and women. Testing can actually help prevent some colon
cancers by finding and removing pre-cancerous polyps to stop cancer before it starts. Beginning at age
50, women should start having regular colorectal cancer screening tests. Since several types of tests are
available, women should ask their health care providers which tests are right for them.
Lung: Screening for lung cancer is recommended for those who are at a high risk for lung cancer due to
cigarette smoking. Talk to your health care provider about screening if you meet the following:
 Are between 55 and 74 years old
 Are in good health, with no signs of lung cancer
 Have at least a 30 pack-year smoking history AND are still smoking or quit within the past 15
years. (A pack-year is the number of cigarette packs smoked each day multiplied by the
number of years a person has smoked. Someone who smoked a pack of cigarettes per day for
30 years has a 30 pack-year smoking history, as does someone who smoked 2 packs a day for
15 years.)
For more information on the steps you can take to find and maybe even prevent cancer, visit
cancer.org/stayhealthy or call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. We’re here when you
need us – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
TITLE: Myths and Truths About Breast Cancer and Mammograms
MYTH: No one in my family has ever had breast cancer, so I don’t really need to worry.
TRUTH: More than 85% of breast cancers are diagnosed in women who do not have a family
history of the disease.
MYTH: If I’m going to get breast cancer, there’s nothing I can do about it.
TRUTH: Yes, there are things you can do. We know that when breast cancer is found early, while
it’s small and before it has spread, the chance of successful treatment is higher. A mammogram
can find a tumor when it’s still small. Finding breast cancer early also means that a woman’s
chance of saving her breast is better because doctors may be able to remove the tumor and only
a small area of nearby tissue.
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You can also take steps to help reduce your risk of the disease, such as getting to and staying at
a healthy weight, getting plenty of exercise, and limiting your alcohol intake.
MYTH: These tests cost a lot, and I can’t afford a mammogram.
TRUTH: Medicare, Medicaid, and almost all insurance companies cover screening
mammograms. Some doctors, hospitals, or clinics might also lower their fees for women who
can’t afford the usual charge.
Some low-cost mammogram programs are also available. The National Breast and Cervical
Cancer Early Detection Program provides free or low-cost screening and follow-up treatment for
low-income, uninsured, and under-insured women, with a high priority on reaching racial and
ethnic minority women. Contact the American Cancer Society® at 1-800-227-2345 to learn more
about low-cost programs in your community.
MYTH: Since mammograms are x-rays, the radiation could be dangerous.
TRUTH: Today, the level of radiation is very low and does not significantly raise a woman’s risk
of breast cancer.
MYTH: I heard mammograms hurt.
TRUTH: Many women may feel some discomfort, but it’s only for a very short time.
When you get a mammogram, you stand beside the machine and a specially trained
technologist helps place your breast on a metal plate. A second plate made of plastic is placed
on top, and for a few seconds, the top plate is pushed down to flatten the breast to get a good,
clear picture. Two pictures are taken of each breast. To lessen discomfort, do not schedule your
mammogram during the week before or during your period, when your breasts are most tender.
Also, be sure to tell the technologist if you have any pain.
MYTH: If I get a mammogram, they’re going to find breast cancer.
TRUTH: If a suspicious area is found on a mammogram, more tests may be needed to find out
what it is. Another mammogram may be done, focusing on the area of concern. A doctor may
also use a thin needle to remove fluid or a small amount of tissue from the suspicious area. This
is called a biopsy, and it’s the only way to know for sure if the change is caused by cancer.
MYTH: I’ve lived this long without getting breast cancer. Why should I bother with a mammogram?
TRUTH: Your risk of developing breast cancer goes up as you get older. More than 2 of every 3
breast cancers diagnosed each year are in women older than 55. Even after you’ve been through
menopause, you still need mammograms.
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For more facts about breast cancer and early detection, please visit the American Cancer Society®
website at cancer.org/breastcancer or call us at 1-800-227-2345. We’re here for you every step of the
way.
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Promotional Messages
These shorter messages can be used for email messages and newsletter inserts.
Want to know steps you can take to stay healthy and help lower your risk of breast cancer or have it
found early, when it’s easier to treat? Visit cancer.org/breastcancer .
Staying at a healthy weight throughout life, being physically active, and limiting the amount of alcohol
you drink are smart strategies for lowering your risk of breast cancer. Call the American Cancer Society
at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org/breastcancer to learn more about the steps you can take to help
reduce your risk of breast cancer.
Diet, exercise, and other lifestyle choices affect your overall health and your risk for breast cancer. To
share healthy tips and other information, the American Cancer Society® offers the Healthy Living
newsletter, a free monthly email with useful information on eating right, staying active, maintaining a
healthy weight, and other steps you can take to help reduce your cancer risk. Sign up today.
If you or someone you know is facing breast cancer, the American Cancer Society® is here to help every
step of the way. Please visit cancer.org/breastcancer or call 1-800-227-2345 to:

Learn more about all aspects of breast cancer.


Find free services to overcome daily challenges.
Get one-on-one support from breast cancer survivors who have had similar diagnoses and
treatment plans.

Get help with appearance-related side effects of treatment.
Breast changes can show up on mammograms before you or your health care provider can feel a lump.
Visit cancer.org/breastcancer or call 1-800-227-2345 to learn more about breast cancer screening.
Is it time for your mammogram? If you’re a woman, the American Cancer Society® recommends that
you talk to a health care provider about when you should start getting regular mammograms to help
find breast cancer early. Call us at 1-800-227-2345 to learn what steps you can take to help reduce your
risk of getting breast cancer.
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Volunteer to help breast cancer patients in your community. Visit cancer.org/breastcancer to find out
how you can help, or call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.
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Social Media
If your company has followers on Facebook or Twitter, you can use the following messages.
Facebook messages
Do you or someone you care about have a mammogram scheduled? Check out 7 things to know before
going. http://www.cancer.org/research/infographicgallery/7mammogramstips
You don’t have to face breast cancer alone. The American Cancer Society offers support and services for
people with cancer and their caregivers every step of the way. Find out more:
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/SupportProgramsServices/find-support-programs-and-services-inyour-area-landing
If you or someone you know recently has been diagnosed with breast cancer, Breast Cancer Journey:
The Essential Guide to Treatment and Recovery has valuable, up-to-date information about diagnosis,
treatment options, and the path ahead in a friendly, easy-to-understand way.
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/features/breast-cancer-journey-empowers-women-at-all-stagesof-disease
Twitter messages
Breast Cancer Journey, 3rd Ed offers invaluable info about diagnosis, treatment, and the path ahead
#breastcancer. http://bit.ly/1ve3L37
Do you or someone you love have a mammogram scheduled? Check out 7 things to know before you go.
http://bit.ly/1miNPHs
No one should face #breastcancer alone. @American Cancer Reach To Recovery program is there when
you need it. http://bit.ly/1teJIlL
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Breast Cancer Quiz
Do you know the facts about breast health?
1. All women are at risk for breast cancer.
True
False
2. A mammogram can find cancers when they are very small, often years before a lump or change can
be felt.
True
False
3. If breast cancer runs in your family, you’re sure to get it.
True
False
4. Men can get breast cancer.
True
False
5. Mammograms aren’t needed after menopause.
True
False
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Breast Cancer Quiz Answers
1. All women are at risk for breast cancer.
TRUE. All women are at risk for breast cancer. And the risk goes up as women get older. Some
women, including those who have a close relative with the disease, such as a mother, sister, or
daughter, have a higher-than-average risk of developing breast cancer themselves. Still, most
women who develop breast cancer have no family history of the disease.
2. A mammogram can find cancers when they are very small, often years before a lump or change in the
breast can be felt.
TRUE. Mammograms can find cancers when they are still too small to be felt. Finding breast
cancer early improves the chance of successful treatment. But, mammograms are not perfect –
they can miss some cancers, or they can lead to more testing for a change that turns out not to
be cancer. So talk to your health care provider to learn the facts about mammograms. And
remember, any breast lump or change in your breast should be checked, even if your
mammogram is normal.
3. If breast cancer runs in your family, you’re sure to get it.
FALSE. Having breast cancer in your family doesn’t guarantee you’ll get it. Many times, family
members have similar lifestyle habits – habits you might be able to control and change to lower
your risk of breast cancer. This includes getting to and staying at a healthy weight, regular
physical activity, and limiting your alcohol intake. If you suspect you have an inherited gene
mutation, ask your health care provider about genetic counseling.
If you know your family history, you can tackle the risk factors you can control. It should also
motivate you to get tested regularly so that breast cancer is caught early – when it’s small,
hasn’t spread, and is easier to treat. Talk to your health care provider about your breast cancer
risk and when you should start testing.
4. Men can get breast cancer.
True. Approximately 2,600 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Men should not
ignore breast lumps and should get any breast changes checked. Still, breast cancer is about 100
times more common in women than men.
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5. You don’t need mammograms after menopause.
FALSE. Breast cancer risk goes up as you get older. Most breast cancers are found in women
over age 55. That's why it’s important for women to get regular mammograms as long as they’re
in good health. The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chances treating it successfully.
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Breast Cancer Stories of Hope
Many breast cancer survivors, or those who know someone who has or had breast cancer, share their
experiences to encourage others. Read their Stories of Hope and consider asking your employees to
share their stories in your company newsletter or on your company intranet. Ask for the following
information:
 Name
 Age
 How was your breast cancer found and when were you diagnosed?
 Describe your experience, including how the American Cancer Society® and your company
helped you, if applicable.
 What message would you send to others about having breast cancer and the importance of
early detection?
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Breast Cancer PowerPoint Presentation
Give your employees the facts about breast cancer with this brief presentation created
by the American Cancer Society.
The presentation package includes a PowerPoint presentation and detailed notes for delivering the
information to your employees. To access the presentation:
1. Go to
http://www.cancer.org/healthy/informationforhealthcareprofessionals/cancerpresentations/index.
2. Select the presentation you want to use and save the slide deck and the speaker notes to your
computer.
3. Review the speaker notes before sharing the presentation.
Breast Cancer Videos
Early detection and improvements in treatment have helped millions of women survive breast cancer.
The videos in this collection explain breast cancer screening and genetic testing, as well as some of the
potential side effects of treatment. There are also personal stories from breast cancer survivors.
Visit our breast cancer video collection.
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Messages to Use Year-round
Message #1: Eat well, stay well
Interested in reducing your risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke?
Getting to and staying at a healthy weight can benefit you in all these areas!
Know your body mass index (BMI). This number is commonly used to judge whether you’re at a healthy
weight for your height, or whether extra weight may be putting you at risk for health problems, such as
cancer. Visit cancer.org/bmi to find your body mass index.
Try these tips:
Eat your fruits and veggies. Replace high-calorie foods with fruits and vegetables. Try to eat at least 2½
cups of colorful fruits and vegetables every day.
Make time for breakfast. Studies show that people who eat breakfast tend to eat fewer calories
throughout the day. Breakfast will also help you function better during the workday and makes you less
irritable.
Make smarter food choices. Use whole-grain pasta in place of white-flour pasta. Try low-fat or fat-free
dairy products.
Drink water. Did you know thirst is often mistaken for hunger? If you think you’re hungry, try drinking a
glass of water before going for a snack. Also try to drink water instead of high-calorie beverages like
sodas, sports drinks, and fruit drinks. These contain a lot of added sugar and calories, and very little
nutrition.
Visit the American Cancer Society® website at www.cancer.org or call us at 1-800-227-2345 to learn
more about how you can help reduce your risk. (Source: American Cancer Society)
Message #2: When you have a question about cancer
If you or someone you know has questions about a cancer diagnosis or treatment options, the American
Cancer Society® is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Callers are connected to trained cancer
information specialists who can help them:
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Find out more about their diagnosis.

Better understand treatment options and side effects.

Learn what to expect and how to plan.

Address insurance concerns.

Find financial resources.
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Find local support groups, and more.
The Society offers services in more than 200 languages to help people every step of the way. Call us
anytime at 1-800-227-2345.
We’re also a trusted resource for the millions of visitors who come to our website each year. Visit
cancer.org to find comprehensive, reliable cancer information, the latest news on cancer, and resources
in your community.
The Society’s Clinical Trials Matching Service is another service the Society offers. Free and confidential,
the service helps patients and their families find clinical trials that best meet their medical and personal
needs. Visit www.clinicaltrials, or call 1-800-303-5691 to learn more. (Source: American Cancer Society)
Message #3: Keep your money in your wallet
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to be healthy. Beyond the extra money you’ll have
by not buying cigarettes, quitting smoking could also save you the cost of breath mints, cough drops,
and cleaning expenses for your clothes, home, and vehicle. You can also avoid many costs from doctor
visits and medicines for the diseases and other health issues caused by smoking or by exposure to
secondhand smoke.
Visit the American Cancer Society® website at cancer.org/quittobacco or call us at 1-800-227-2345 to
find out how we can help you quit and stay quit. (Source: American Cancer Society)
Message #4: Finding colon cancer early
Regular screening can often find colon cancer early, when it’s small, has not spread, and is easier to
treat. In many people, screening can actually help prevent colon cancer altogether. That’s because some
screening tests can show polyps, or growths, that can then be removed before they have a chance to
turn into cancer. Preventing colon cancer, or finding it early, doesn’t have to be expensive, either. Some
of the tests are simple, affordable, and can be done at home. Tests used to screen for colon cancer
include:
 Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) and the fecal immunochemical test (FIT):
Samples of stool are checked for blood, which might be a sign of a polyp or cancer.
 Stool DNA test: A stool sample is checked for certain abnormal sections of DNA (genetic
material) from cancer or polyps.
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 Sigmoidoscopy: A flexible, lighted tube is put into the rectum and lower colon to look for
polyps and cancer.
 Colonoscopy: A longer, flexible tube is used to look at the entire colon and rectum.
 Double-contrast barium enema: This is an x-ray test of the colon and rectum.
 CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy): This is a type of CT scan of the colon and rectum.
For more information about these tests and the steps you can take to help prevent colon cancer, visit
cancer.org/colon or call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. We’re here when you need us
– 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (Source: American Cancer Society)
Message #5: Coping with cancer
The American Cancer Society® helps people facing cancer emotionally, as well as with their practical
needs. Society programs offer people an opportunity to meet others coping with cancer or connect with
survivors for hope and support.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Survivors Network® is a free online community created by and for
people living with cancer and their families. In addition to getting and giving support, through the
Cancer Survivors Network, you can connect with others, find resources, and tell your own story through
personal expressions like music and art.
Since 2000, millions of survivors and caregivers from around the world have connected at csn.cancer.org
to share experiences, practical tips, hope, and inspiration. (Source: American Cancer Society)
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Written July 2016