Community Service

WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that has developed from cells of the breast. The disease occurs mostly in women, but does occur rarely in men.

WHAT ARE THE KEY STATISTICS ABOUT BREAST CANCER~

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, excluding skin cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 1999 about 175,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among omen in the United States. An estimated 1,300 cases will be diagnosed among men.

The breast cancer incidence rate, a measure of the number of new breast cancers per 10O,000 women, increased by about 4% per year during the 1980's but during the past few years, incidence has leveled off.

In 1999, there will be about 43,700 deaths from breast cancer in the United States (43,300 among women and 400 among men). Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeding lung cancer. It is the leading cause of cancer death among women age 40 to 55. The breast cancer mortality rate, a measure of breast cancer deaths per 100,000 women, has been decreasing during the past few years. Increased screening of women, leading to detection of cancers at an earlier stage, and more effective treatments, are most likely responsible for lowering the breast cancer mortality rate.

CAN BREAST CANCER BE PREVENTED?

There is no certain way to prevent breast cancer. For, now the best plan for women at average breast cancer risk is to reduce life-style related risk factors whenever possible. Some of those factors are as follows:

Oral contraceptives Induced abortion Not breast feeding Smoking Physical activity

Not having children
Estrogen replacement therapy
Alcohol
Obesity and high-fat diets
Environmental risk factors

Breast cancer is the leading cancer diagnosed in women in America.

This year, more than 175,000 women will learn for the first time that they have this disease and more than 43,000 women will lose their lives.

However, when breast cancer is detected early and treated promptly, suffering and ultimately the loss of life can be significantly reduced.

Routine Screening mammography (an "x-ray" picture of the breast) is the single most effective method to detect breast changes that may be Cancer, long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt.

Unfortunately, the fear of discovering breast cancer, or the lack of information, health insurance, transportation, or childcare keep many women from taking advantage of this important medical service.

Women of racial and ethnic minonties, older women, and women living in rural areas experience more than their share of obstacles.

For over a decade, volunteer Program Leaders throughout the United States have joined forces every October during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), to help women overcome these barriers.

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US.

A Voteless People is a Hopeless People:

The Fraternity continues its vigorous program to register and educate voters and get them to the voting polls on election day. The voter registration slogan eveloped by Alpha Phi Alpha in the 1930s continues to serve as a battle cry for the Fraternityēs voter registration and education efforts.

"The Clinton Affair: Details and Denials" Forum/ Panel Discussion
discussed national politics and performed voter registration drive
Project Alpha:

A program that helps teenage males learn about their role in preventing teenage pregnancies taught from a male perspective. The first program of its kind in the nation, Project Alpha has served as the model for a new generation of male responsibility programs.

"Relationships in the New Milleneum"
panel of experts discuss maintaining healthy relationships and preventing teen pregnancies

Commission on Business and Economic Development:

Encourages collaboration with Fortune 500 companies for business and economic training and development of our youth.

"Orientation Towards Employment"
panel of experts dicussed strategies for obtaining employment.

Leadership Training Institute:

A program designed to teach leadership skills to high school juniors and seniors. Alpha Phi Alpha provides a forum for men of all ages to hone the skills necessary for leadership in the larger society. With experience gained while serving as chapter officers, convention delegates, committees members, Alpha Phi Alpha members are able to teach parliamentary procedure and public speaking skills vital to success in the business world and society.

"Men 2 Be Mentoring Program" (in conjuction w/ Urban League of RI)
weekly mentoring session designed to teach leadership skills to youth

This past December brothers went from door to door in several dorms across two campuses in order to secure donations for John Hope Settlement House. As an annual tradition, we actively solicited donations of food, clothing and toys for youths that take part in the John Hope Settlement House on the South Side of Providence.