Area Librarians Prepare Information on Breast Cancer

In conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Consortium of Health Information Libraries-Outreach has published its second newsletter this year and it is totally devoted to breast cancer awareness. The Consortium of Health Information Libraries-Outreach (CHIL-Out) is a group of local librarians and information professionals representing Allegany College of Maryland, Thomas B. Finan Center, Western Maryland Area Health Education Center (AHEC), and the Western Maryland Health System.

This newsletter is available in the libraries of the member institutions. Special bookmarks are available also which include reminders about breast health and women's health tests. Anyone who comes in to pick up a newsletter or bookmark is also invited to register for a free giveaway of a basket of "girlie goodies" that will include items such as lotions, creams, etc. Guys are invited to register for a chance to win the basket for a special woman in their lives. Members of the general public may register either at Allegany College of Maryland or either campus library of the Western Maryland Health System. The public libraries have the newsletters and bookmarks, but no registration for the giveaway. The libraries at AHEC and the Finan Center are not open to the general public.

Breast cancer affects one in eight women during their lives. For 2007 it is estimated that 178,480 women and 2,030 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and that 40,460 women and 450 men will die from the disease. Screening for breast cancer before there are symptoms can be important. Screening can help doctors find and treat cancer early. Treatment is more likely to work well when cancer is found early. These are the types of screening tests for breast cancer: screening mammogram, clinical breast exam, and breast self-exam. You should ask your doctor about when to start and how often to check for breast cancer. Symptoms of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast, a change in size or shape of the breast or discharge from a nipple. Breast self-exam and mammography can help find breast cancer early when it is most treatable. Treatment may consist of radiation, lumpectomy, mastectomy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy.

The libraries of the Western Maryland Health System have authoritative breast cancer/breast health information. The public is invited to visit either campus library for any health-related information, not just breast cancer information. With easy access to the Internet, it is vital to know where to look for quality, authoritative information. The librarian will be glad to assist you in your search for that information. The number for the Memorial Campus Library is 301-723-4027 and the Braddock Library is 301-723-5229.

Area librarians are pictured working on information about Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pictured (left to right) are Cecelia Robeson, Thomas B. Finan Center; Mary Huebner, Allegany College of Maryland; Michele Beaulieu, Western Maryland AHEC, and Margie Gacki, Western Maryland Health System.