Free Breast Health Services Available Through PA Health Department

Pennsylvania's Department of Health offers HealthyWoman, a breast cancer early-detection program, at no cost.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health offers HealthyWoman, a free breast and cervical cancer early-detection program, for women across the state who meet eligibility standards. Thos standard include: To view a chart of Eligibility at a Glance, click here or call 1-800-215-7494 to find out if you are eligible. If breast or cervical cancer is detected through the program, patients will be eligible to receive free treatment through the Department of Public Welfare’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program.  Why is the HealthyWoman Program Important? 

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Hallmark Breast Cancer Study Holds Hope for Pennsylvania Patients

Breast cancer kills 12,000 women in Pennsylvania each year, but a new study holds hope for patients and the doctors who treat them

Researchers have unveiled what they believe is a hallmark study for breast cancer patients and the doctors who treat them, according to the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. Their findings, recently published in the journal Nature and the New York Times, are expected to pave the way for new treatment options in the coming years. The project, funded by a large federal grant, focused on a genetic analysis of breast cancer, which kills more than 12,000 women in Pennsylvania each year.  The scientists monitored the tumors of 825 breast cancer patients in the United States. As a result, they found four distinctive types of breast cancer. Within those types, researchers say they identified at least 40 genetic alterations that might be attacked by …

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Outer Beauty Tips Lead to Inner Strength for Western PA Women with Breast Cancer

Cancer Be Glammed, Two Cousins and other local and national businesses offer resources for women fighting breast cancer that doctors don't offer.

By the nature of its side effects, cancer treatment can make a private battle a very public affair. For a woman with cancer, having a bald head, pale skin or a missing breast can make her feel like she's being targeted by a bright spotlight and a banner that says, "Cancer patient." But now more than ever, there are resources for women that will put the spotlight back on their work, their accomplishments and their life—and change that banner to simply read, "Woman." Women in Western Pennsylvania and elsewhere can turn to Cancer Be Glammed.com, a website established three years ago by two Squirrel Hill women who both had experienced the after-effects of cancer. Co-founder Ellen Weiss Kander retired earlier this year, but co-founder Lisa …

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Breast Cancer in Young Women: Resources and Statistics in Moon

Breast cancer isn't age-specific. Here's how to cope with treatments and augmentations if you are diagnosed earlier in life.

Generally speaking, a woman in Pennsylvania has a one in 125 chance of getting breast cancer, according to this breast cancer statistics chart from komen.org. An American woman in her 30s has a one in 232 chance of getting the disease, and a woman 20 years her senior has a one in 42 probability, according to the website. “Although we aren’t certain, the cause of breast cancer in younger women is likely caused by a genetic predisposition,” says Ann H. Partridge, M.D., M.P.H., the medical oncologist director of the Adult Survivorship Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. While breast cancer treatment in young women is often effective, the chance of recovery tends to be worse in women under 40. …

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Allegheny County Turns Courthouse Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The signature fountain in the courtyard and the surrounding walls of the Allegheny County Courthouse, Downtown, are bathed with pink lights through October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Using artfully placed pink lighting, Allegheny County officials have bathed the landmark county courthouse on Grant Street, Downtown, with pink lighting that will remain through October on observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Council Councilwoman Barbara Daly Danko also have issued proclamations honoring those who work to increase awareness and research aimed at a cure for breast cancer. They presented those proclamations earlier this month to Kathy Purcell of the Susan G. Komen for a Cure foundation and Erika Deyarmin of the American Cancer Society. Lighting has been used to tint the water of the signature fountain in the courthouse courtyard. The stone walls of the complex also glow pink each …

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SHARE: Faces of Breast Cancer Survivors

Are you a breast cancer survivor? Do you know a breast cancer survivor? Then join this photo gallery!

There's more to Breast Cancer Awareness Month than wearing a pink ribbon on your collar and cheering for the pink socks-wearing Steelers. It's about educating others on ways to prevent the disease and detect it as early as possible. This month is also a chance to celebrate and share survival stories—and provide hope and comfort to the newly diagnosed. Here at Patch, we ask that you upload a photo to the gallery above of a breast cancer survivor that you know. Just click the "Upload Photos and Videos" tab. Let's see how many brave, strong and beautiful women—and men—we can unite to show others that beating breast cancer can be done.

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You Sent It In

Battling Breast Cancer: A Moon Woman's Story

A Moon Township woman shares her breast cancer story with Patch.

  Moon Township resident Beth Lehmier was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2010. Throughout her treatment, she documented her fight with the disease on her blog, Lehmier.Blogspot.com. Below is an an excerpt from the website Lehmier shared with Patch, chronicling how she and her family coped with the diagnosis and early treatment.  Lehmier will soon mark her second year being cancer-free: Her last chemotherapy treatment was Nov. 8, 2010.    February 14, 2010: I found a lump on my left breast. Sure, I've felt lumps before, but this one felt different. Hard, big, and suspicious. I informed my husband of my finding, who reassured me it was probably nothing, not to worry, and we would call my OB in the morning. February 15, 2010: I …

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Jenna Staul

1:49 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012

Thanks again, Beth, for sharing this with us. It's a very inspiring story.   more ›

Panera Bread Issues Power of Pink Challenge

A challenge between Pittsburgh and Cleveland Panera stores will raise money for breast cancer awareness—and up the ante for the city that buys the most Pink Ribbon bagels.

A challenge between Pittsburgh and Cleveland Panera stores will raise money for breast cancer awareness—and up the ante for the city that buys the most Pink Ribbon bagels. Panera Bread has issued the Power of Pink Challenge during the month of October to raise money for breast cancer awareness. Through Oct. 31, a portion of the proceeds from each Pink Ribbon bagel sold will be donated to theYoung Women's Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation, benefitting the Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation. As part of the challenge, Panera has pitted Pittsburgh against Cleveland—two cities, one cause. The city that purchases the most Pink Ribbon bagels will receive an additional $10,000 charity donation. Bagels can be pre-ordered from your local …

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Sound Off: Komen for the Cure Stops Grants to Planned Parenthood

What is your reaction to the news that the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation is ending grants to Planned Parenthood for breast-screening and related services?

On Tuesday, the Associated Press broke the news that the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation will stop providing grants to Planned Parenthood.  The grants to Planned Parenthood totaled about $700,000 and were used for breast-cancer screening and related services. According to the Associated Press: Komen spokeswoman Leslie Aun said the cutoff results from the charity's newly adopted criteria barring grants to organizations that are under investigation by local, state or federal authorities. According to Komen, this applies to Planned Parenthood because it's the focus of an inquiry launched by Rep. Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., seeking to determine whether public money was improperly spent on abortions. In a statement on its website, Planned …

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Clearview Credit Union Raises Funds for Breast Cancer Programs

Employees raise $1,100 for Lee National Denim Day program.

Employees of Moon-based Clearview Federal Credit Union raised $1,142 for breast cancer programs in October. Employees of the credit union took part in Lee National Denim Day on Oct. 7, purchasing $5 breast cancer awareness pins to wear that day. The credit union said it has taken part in the Lee Jeans program for the past 12 years, raising $12,979 to date.   Lee National Denim Day is one of the largest single-day fundraisers for breast cancer awareness and research. An estimated $4 million to $5 million was raised nationally through the program this year.  Clearview Federal Credit Union, which is headquartered on University Boulevard, serves residents in southwestern Allegheny County communities.   

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