As people pass by Utah Valley Regional Medical Center during the next few weeks, trees adorned with pink ribbons will serve as a reminder of the many women fighting the terrible realities of breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

Regardless of family history, all women are at risk for breast cancer. In 90 percent of cases the woman has no family history of the disease, said The University of Utah's Health Sciences Center.

During the month of October, Utah County hospitals aim to inform women that help is readily available and stress the importance of early detection.

"We want people to take advantage of awareness month and think about how breast cancer can affect them," said Janet Frank, Intermountain Healthcare's media manager.

The hospitals want women to know that they should be receiving yearly exams and doing their own personal monthly exams, she said.

"Hospitals will be offering services that will help people get into early detection," Frank said.

Throughout the month Intermountain's Utah County hospitals will be offering mammograms and free clinical breast exams. Everyone who receives a mammogram during the month will receive a free gift.

The Utah Breast and Cervical Cancer Task Force will offer a free "Truth vs. Fact" seminar this month to help women recognize the signs of breast and cervical cancer -- the leading causes of death among women in the United States.

The seminar will provide information about what to look for when giving a self-breast examination, said Philip Brown, over marketing for the BCCTF.

"We want to raise awareness about what signs to look for," said Brown. "That way 20 years down the road when a woman finds a lump, she is informed and knows what to do."

Carlee Roderick, cancer information specialist and member of Utah Cancer action Network, will speak at the seminar.

The free seminar will take place Saturday, October 20 at 10:30 a.m. at the Provo City Library, 550 N. University Avenue.

For Every Body, a bath and beauty store, will be hosting "An Evening in Pink" on October 30 at 7 p.m. at Tahitian Noni International, 333 River Park Drive, Provo.

The celebration will honor the lives of breast cancer survivors and their families. A silent auction and light refreshments will be served following the program.

For tickets, email eveninginpink@foreverybody.com by October 25.



Copyright Brigham Young University 12 Oct 2007