HONORING SURVIVORS — Elected officials and individuals with the Women in Action Against Cancer Coalition of Jefferson County stood with local cancer survivors during the coalition’s Ohio Mammography Day Wreath Ceremony in the Fort Steuben Mall Wednesday. -- Christopher Dacanay

STEUBENVILLE — Combined with a community health expo, a ceremony held in the Fort Steuben Mall Wednesday honored breast cancer survivors and emphasized the importance of early detection in saving lives from the disease.

The annual Ohio Mammography Day Wreath Ceremony and community expo were hosted by the Women in Action Against Cancer Coalition of Jefferson County. Founded in July of 1994, the community-based nonprofit has been raising awareness of breast cancer, providing education and promoting early detection efforts in the county for 30 years.

Each year, the WIACC provides a program on the third Wednesday in October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Wednesday program, which added a health and resource fair last year — precedes Ohio Mammography Day on the third Thursday and National Mammography Day on the third Friday.

“One of our long-standing and cherished events is our breast cancer wreath ceremony, honoring survivors and remembering those who lost the fight,” said coalition Co-Chair Janet Sharpe during the ceremony.

The program commenced at 4 p.m. with a prayer of thanksgiving led by Sharon Kirtdoll, who remarked, “Count your blessings every day, and you shall never be unhappy. And as I do that every day, I find so many things to be thankful for and happy about.”

Next came a proclamation of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month from the Jefferson County commissioners, of whom Eric Timmons and Tony Morelli were present. Reading the proclamation was Morelli, who noted his mother was a breast cancer survivor.

Morelli read that breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among Ohio females, and Jefferson County ranks among the highest counties regarding incidence rate. However, he said, the disease’s death rate has decreased 13 percent in from 2009 to 2013. He said the commissioners will continue to support diagnostic efforts and prevention education.

Steubenville Mayor Jerry Barilla read a similar proclamation, adding that Oct. 16 is Steubenville Mammogram Day.

Barilla read that this year’s theme from the National Breast Cancer Foundation is “no one should face breast cancer alone.” So, he read, October provides a time for individuals to support those touched by the disease, which, in 2024, has been diagnosed in approximately 310,000 women, 42,000 of whom are expected to die from it.

Mike Petrella presented a $500 check from his business to the WIAACC. He noted he’s been making donations to support the coalition’s efforts since 2014.

Madison Justice, community outreach analyst for the James Cancer Hospital and Solve Research Institute, supplied statistics on breast cancer in Jefferson County, taken from the county’s 2023 cancer profile that incorporates data from 2016 to 2020.

During that time, Justice said, 60 women on average were diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the county and 10 died from it each year on average. The second most common cancer diagnosed in the county, breast cancer accounted for 11.9 percent of all new cancer cases and 5.2 of all cancer deaths.

The rate of women between the ages of 50 and 74 who reported having a mammogram in the last two years was 74 percent, Justice said, adding, “We obviously would like this percentage to increase quite a lot. It is lower compared to the rest of the state and the United States as a whole.”

Recommended for women aged 40 or over, regular mammograms are crucial for detecting cancer early, Justice said. Anyone who needs financial assistance with screening may qualify for free breast and cervical screenings and diagnostic testing through the Ohio Breast and Cervical Cancer Project.

Sharpe then spoke on the WIAACC’s activities, which include educating individuals on early detection, how to proceed after a positive diagnosis and where to turn for community resources and support.

She said the coalition also financially assists women with obtaining breast and cervical screenings through the Women’s Health Center and Trinity Health System. Additionally, the coalition collaborates with Urban Mission Ministries Inc. to fund prostate screenings during Minority Health Month in April. This is all made possible by grant funding, an annual banner project, yard sales, car shows, poker runs and individual donations.

The WIAACC is composed of both cancer survivors and “those who have been fortunate enough not to have to battle the terrible disease but admire the spirit of those who do.” Membership was halved after the COVID-19 pandemic, she said, and the coalition is seeking new members to join. The group is like a “sisterhood,” working together for their shared cause and being present with one another through major life events.

Finally, the audience heard a testimony from nine-year cancer survivor Bobby Jo West, who recalled how she and her sister had their first mammograms in October 2014. Since the sisters had a history of cancer on both sides of their family, they also agreed to have genetic testing done.

West’s sister would later be called back into the office after many nodules were encountered in her breast. The fear of that experience would subside after further testing returned negative, West said.

Both sisters eventually received negative results their genetic tests, but West’s doctor recommended she get an MRI based on a “gut feeling.” Just to be safe, West went through with the procedure, having been approved by her insurance after a request from the doctor.

While West was undergoing the MRI, the radiologist found a nodule and recommended a biopsy be done. The next day, her biopsy results came back positive for breast cancer, specifically invasive carcinoma.

Thankfully, West said, the cancer was small and non-aggressive. Because of its deep placement, the mammogram could not have detected the cancer. Within several years, it would become detectable, but by then it would have reached Stage 4, infecting other parts of the body. Thus, West said if she hadn’t had the MRI, she likely wouldn’t be alive.

“What I want to stress to anybody who has family history … (is) push for an MRI,” West said, adding, “Don’t stop at a mammogram. Your insurance will pay for it, and if your doctor doesn’t believe in getting it for you, then change your doctor. That’s how I feel because that saved my life, and I know it can save somebody else’s.”

All cancer survivors in the audience were asked to stand and received a free gift from the coalition.

Earlier in the day, various service providers set up tables in the mall to share their resources with passersby. Present were Franciscan University of Steubenville senior nursing students, the Jefferson County Department of Job and Family Services, the Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board, the Jefferson County General Health District, ALIVE Inc., the Ohio State University Extension Office of Jefferson County, the Urban Mission and Valley Hospice.