Kifowit Highlights Screenings, Urges Residents to Observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month

AURORA, Ill. – State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Aurora, is urging constituents to join her and cancer activists nationwide in raising awareness of breast cancer this October, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In an effort to promote early detection, Kifowit is highlighting state services to expand access to life-saving screenings.  

“I am proud to participate in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” Kifowit said. “About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point in her life. The good news is that with prevention, such as screenings, there are about 3 million breast cancer survivors, the largest group of cancer survivors in the US.  As a public servant, I will continue to fight for the resources needed to diagnose this cancer early and save lives.”

In an effort to ensure life-saving cancer screenings are easily available, Kifowit worked to protect needed funding for the Illinois’ Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP) in the Fiscal Year 2014 state budget. The IBCCP provides free mammograms to women aged 40 to 64 who are uninsured and have income below 250 percent of the federal poverty level. From 2006 through 2010, IBCCP detected 678 invasive breast cancers. Women who may qualify can call the program hotline at 888-522-1282 or visit their website at http://cancerscreening.illinois.gov for more information.

“The American Cancer Society has played a role in nearly every major breast cancer research breakthrough in recent history and we encourage all women to take steps every day to stay well from breast cancer by maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, and limiting alcohol intake,” said Heather Eagleton, Illinois director of public policy and government relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “Thanks in part to the progress we’re making together, death rates from breast cancer have dropped by 33 percent since the early 1990s. This translates to 184,000 lives saved that would’ve otherwise been lost to breast cancer.”

Also, to help empower women throughout the area, Rep. Kifowit will host a free Women’s Self-Defense Seminar with Mutual Ground on Saturday, October 12 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at Eagle Academy of Martial Arts, located at 881 Shoreline Drive in Aurora. Women of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to attend.

For more information, please contact Kifowit’s full-time constituent service office at 630-585-1308, e-mail Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net, or visit www.ILDistrict84.com.