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Breaking the Silence

Breaking the Silence Breast Health Awareness Campaign

In 1997, the Breast Health Task Force was established as part of the Healthy New London project and has since evolved into a regional collaboration.  The Breast Health Task Force includes representation from, Lawrence & Memorial (L & M) Hospital, Community Partnerships, Naval Submarine Base, American Cancer Society (ACS), breast cancer survivors, CT Breast & Cervical Early Detection Program (CBCEDP) and the Ledge Light Health District (LLHD).  The goals of the task force are to:

• increase awareness of breast health;
• increase the number of women who receive a yearly mammogram (age 40+);
• increase awareness of community resources. 

The task force objectives include enhancing outreach and education efforts in our communities to reach all women, with an emphasis on minority populations, women with handicaps, and elderly women, and increasing collaboration among community agencies and individuals.

Since 1999, Ledge Light Health District, in collaboration with the Breast Health Task Force, has been successful in acquiring educational funding support from the Susan G. Komen Foundation Connecticut Affiliate.  Our experience showed that women in general do not talk about breast health and that we must continue to be aggressive in our outreach efforts. Our project, Breaking the Silence, incorporates several educational activities designed the public about good breast health and get women talking:

• The “Mom I Care” breast health awareness and reminder post card program. 
• A mass media campaign including posters of breast cancer survivors, public service announcements in the newspaper and on the radio. 
• A comprehensive resource guide that including information regarding all services and resources available in our community. 
• Presentations to senior centers, elderly housing, and assisted living housing to educate women on breast health.
• Door to door outreach in neighborhoods with a concentration of subsidized housing and elderly housing complexes. 
• Collaborations with Centro de la Communidad  and Community Partnership’s Faith in Action Network to increase outreach to Hispanic and African American women.

The Breaking the Silence Campaign is funded by the
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Connecticut Affiliate.