Breast Cancer Awareness

Captain Leontyne Fields presents Major Carol Lynn Shaffer with a bouquet of flowers after the Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon for her outstanding support Nov. 16 at the 39th Medical Group clinic. The Luncheon was held at the Hospital Pavilion and was put together to help women learn about breast cancer and how to help treat it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Tiffany A. Colburn)

Breast Cancer Awareness

Incirlik American School students, who had a mark on their programs, pick numbers out of a bag to see who gets to pick out their prize first during the Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon Nov. 16 at the 39th Medical Group clinic. The Luncheon was held at the Hospital Pavilion and was put together to help women learn about breast cancer and how to help treat it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Tiffany A. Colburn)

Breast Cancer Awareness

Captain Maria Lopez takes her turn during the fashion show at the Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon on Nov. 16 at the 39th Medical Group clinic. The Luncheon was held at the Hospital Pavilion and was put together to help women learn about breast cancer and how to help treat it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Tiffany A. Colburn)

Breast Cancer Awareness

Staff Sgt. Bruce Reno takes his turn during the fashion show supporting the Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon on Nov. 16. The Luncheon was held at the Hospital Pavilion and was put together to help women learn about breast cancer and how to help treat it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Tiffany A. Colburn)

Breast Cancer Awareness

Airman First Class Erin Kensel takes her turn during the fashion show supportion the Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon on Nov. 16 at the 39th Medical Group clinic. The Luncheon was held at the Hospital Pavilion and was put together to help women learn about breast cancer and how to help treat it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Tiffany A. Colburn)

Breast Cancer Awareness

Captain Leontyne Fields takes her turn during the fashion show supporting the Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon on Nov. 16 at the 39th Medical Group clinic. The Luncheon was held at the Hospital Pavilion and was put together to help women learn about breast cancer and how to help treat it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Tiffany A. Colburn)

Breast Cancer Awareness

Master Sergeant Jeffrey McWaine takes his turn during the fashion show in support of the Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon Nov. 16 at the 39th Medical Group clinic. The Luncheon was held at the Hospital Pavilion and was put together to help women learn about breast cancer and how to help treat it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Tiffany A. Colburn)

Breast Cancer Awareness

Major Simona Allen, 39th Medical Group medical readiness officer, speaks with the audience about her experiences during the Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon on Nov. 16 at the 39th Medical Group clinic. The Luncheon was held at the Hospital Pavilion and was put together to help women learn about breast cancer and how to help treat it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Tiffany A. Colburn)

Breast Cancer Awareness

Bernardine McWaine, left, presents Dr. Fay Head with a bouquet of flowers during the Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon to thank her for speaking to the audience about her experiences Nov. 16. Dr. Head was one of the three quest speakers at the luncheon. The Luncheon was held at the Hospital Pavilion and was put together to help women learn about breast cancer and how to help treat it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Tiffany A. Colburn)

'Lik' shows its support for breast cancer awareness

Published Nov. 17, 2006
By Staff Sgt. Oshawn Jefferson
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- More than 200 people from around the Incirlik community gather together Nov. 16 at the 39th Medical Group clinic to show their support at the Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon and Fashion Show.

"The luncheon was wonderful and I really appreciate all of the dedication from the speakers and fashion show model," said Maj. Carol Shaffer, 39th Medical Group health care integrator. "A wonderful time was had by all."

For the past two decades Americans have come together to increase awareness of breast cancer in hopes of educating women and men alike, ultimately saving lives.

October marked the 22nd annual National Breast Cancer Awareness month and the Incirlik community is dedicated in their efforts to provide information to members on prevention, early detection and life-saving measures to fight cancer diagnosis.

"Early detection is key to successful treatment," said Maj. Shaffer. "Survival rate can be enhanced with early intervention and breast cancer has a very high cure rate of 86 percent."

This form of cancer is not only found in women and you may be surprised to hear that the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., reported that in 2006 an estimated 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die from it.

More often we associate breast cancer with women because it is the most common cancer in women, other than skin cancer. It's also the second leading cause of cancer death among women, according to http://www.breastcancer.org/.

It's important to know how to reduce the risks of being diagnosed. Physical wellbeing won't only make you look better in a swimsuit while hanging out on the Mediterranean but can also be used to fight off diseases.