October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and KATU is proud to be a part of efforts to fight breast cancer.  We dedicated an entire day to raising awareness of the disease through demonstrations on the proper way to perform a self-breast exam, information on treatment options and free mammograms, and a live web chat with KATU Problem Solver and breast cancer survivor Shellie Bailey-Shah.  We also featured breast cancer survivors with inspirational stories of hope and courage.

In addition, KATU is teaming up with the Oregon and Southwest Washington Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to bring you year-round information on breast health.  Together we hope to further educate the community and improve the quality of life.

Stories from KATU Breast Cancer Awareness Day include:


  Self-breast exam

•    The proper way to do a self-breast exam
•    Breast cancer Q&A with Dr. Elizabeth Steiner

  Look good, feel better

• Resource: www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org
• Check out a free "Look good, feel better" meeting

  Shared decision

• Resource: www.adjuvantonline.com/index.jsp
• Calculate your relapse risk

  Mountain climber

• Resource: www.fhcrc.org/climb

  Breast cancer survivor Gayle King

• Read Gayle King's story
• Resource: Breast Cancer Outreach Program

  Pass the plate, and other cancer fundraisers

• Pass the plate: www.cookforthecure.com/passtheplate
• Save lids to save lives: www.yoplait.com/slsl/
• Ford's "Warriors in Pink" test drive: www.fordvehicles.com/warriorsinpink/

  Free mammograms

• Resource: www.komenoregon.org/programs_grants/mammograms.shtml

Archive of a live chat with Shellie Bailey-Shah and her doctor
(From Monday, Oct. 12, 2009, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.)


Breast Exams

• Early detection and screening
• Breast self-awareness

OHSU Cancer Institute offers workshops on how to perform the new self breast exam for women who are at a higher risk. To schedule an appointment to learn how to perform the new self exam, contact Joan Laufer, N.P., (503) 418-8048; lauferj@ohsu.edu.

General Information About Breast Cancer

• Genetics and breast cancer risk
• Susan G. Komen
• Oregon Health and Science University

Videos: In Shellie’s Own Words
KATU Problem Solver Shellie Bailey-Shah was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2008.  After months of surgery, chemo and radiation, Shellie’s cancer is in remission.  In this series of video diary, Shellie shares with us her journey, the difficult decisions, the emotional roller-coaster and the triumphs. 

• Latest update: Shellie's advice: Don't let cancer define you
• A look back at 2008
• A second reconstructive surgery 
• Starting the breast reconstruction
• The last chemo  treatment
• Getting tested for the breast cancer gene
• Bye bye hair
• Starting chemo
• The first checkup
• The surgery
• The diagnosis