Sunday, Dec 2, 2012
Garza County News

Photo by Nancy McDonald

Dr. Ben Edwards and Dr. Ronnelle Burley at the Friends to Friends party.
(Click the above photo to see additional photos)

"Friend to Friend" Party Held

The fight against cancer

Published Jan. 2, 2012 @ 12:04 p.m.

The Garza County AgriLife Extension Service sponsored a Friend to Friend: Staying Well Together program on October 24 at the Heritage House. This program’s purpose was to encourage women to get regular mammograms and Pap tests for the early detection of breast and cervical cancer, when the disease is most curable.

An eight person task force was formed from community members worked with Nancy McDonald and regional health program specialist to plan, market, and implement, and evaluate the Garza County Friend to Friend Program.  A Friend To Friend “party” included a presentation by Dr. Ronnelle Burley of Lubbock and Dr. Ben Edwards of Post conveying a strong message that breast and cervical cancer is easier and more successfully treated when found earlier. The party also consisted of small groups, pink snacks, and local information about screening opportunities, funding and transportation.  The event was funded with grant money from Susan G Komen Foundation – Lubbock Affiliate and Judge Lee Norman. 

Women living in rural areas of Texas are less likely than their urban counterparts to have had a mammogram or Papanicolau (Pap) test within the past two years. Treatment costs and mortality are higher for rural women because of later diagnosis. Access to accredited screening in rural communities is difficult since more than half of Texas counties are primary care health professional shortage areas. One-half of all Texas counties do not have accredited, permanent mammography facilities.

The Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas awarded Extension offices funding to adapt and use the Friend to Friend program to increase the number of women meeting American Cancer Society Screening standards.

 
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