September 2, 2005

Breast cancer education tour to stop at Purdue campus

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Life-saving breast health information will make its way to the Memorial Mall on Purdue University's campus 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday (Sept. 9) as part of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation national community educational tour.

The Purdue Student Health Center and Student Wellness Office will sponsor the local event, which is part of a 14-week, 34-stop tour that will bring information to women of all generations.

"This fun, hands-on learning experience gives women a chance to learn more about breast cancer and encourages them to be committed to health habits that could save their lives," said Angela Hoffman, sexual health education coordinator for the Purdue Student Health Center. "The Student Wellness Office hopes the tour will persuade local women to be proactive with breast self-examinations and regular health screenings."

The tour will feature the "Komen on the Go" pink trailer, which converts into an interactive learning center. Computer kiosks, breast cancer educational materials, breast self-examination guides, volunteer information and tips on how help others with breast cancer will be included in the center. There also will be an 8-foot graffiti wall for students to share a memory or pledge their support to end breast cancer. Health professionals will be on hand to answer questions.

Approximately one in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, and some 40,000 will die each year, according to the foundation's Web site. The Komen Foundation is a network of more than 75,000 volunteers in more than 15,000 communities working to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease.

More information about the tour is available online.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Source: Angela Hoffman, (765) 496-2624, amhoffma@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

To the News Service home page