MINNEAPOLIS, -- Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among Hispanic women*, who are 2.7 times more likely to have stage IV breast cancer at the time of diagnosis**. Lack of resources, education and awareness are some of the reasons why breast cancer is so prevalent among this group. This October, Adamari Lopez and Yoplait are committed to educate and reinforce the importance of early detection and diagnosis among the Hispanic community through Yoplait's Save Lids to Save Lives breast cancer awareness campaign.
"Four years ago my life changed when I felt a lump. At that moment, I realized that I needed to share my story and encourage every mother to teach their daughters to know their bodies and conduct breast self-exams," said Lopez. "If there is a problem, we cannot be afraid of going to the doctor. Early diagnosis can save lives. It saved mine."
Recent studies have uncovered alarming facts about breast cancer in the Hispanic population. Despite lower breast cancer incidence rates than African American and non-Hispanic white women, Hispanic women are 20 percent more likely to die from the disease than any other ethnic group**. Further, Hispanic women are the least likely to have ever had a mammogram, compared to women of other ethnicities.
"There are still no cures for breast cancer, making it important to continue raising awareness about early detection and treatment," said
Kristi Funk
, MD, FACS, from The Pink Lotus Breast Center, in Los Angeles, CA. "Timely mammography screening among women 40 or older can prevent at least 30 percent of all breast cancer deaths. The failure to detect breast cancer at an early stage is taking the lives of many women in the Hispanic community."
To encourage Hispanic women and men to learn more about this disease and become active in the fight against breast cancer, Lopez is involved with Yoplait's Save Lids to Save Lives campaign, which raises awareness and money for breast cancer. This September and October, for the 11th consecutive year, Yoplait lids will turn pink for the Save Lids to Save Lives program. Yoplait will donate 10 cents to
Susan G. Komen
for the Cure(R) for every pink lid sent in by December 31, 2009, up to $1.5 million, with a guaranteed donation of $500,000. Last year, with the help of lid collectors across the country, Yoplait reached its $1.5 million donation goal to
Susan G. Komen
for the Cure, and during the past 11 years, Yoplait has donated more than $22 million to the breast cancer cause, and it has been a long-standing partner of
Susan G. Komen
for the Cure.
"It is an honor to team up with Adamari, for the second year, on Yoplait's Save Lids to Save Lives program," said
Tammy Sadinsky Martin
of Yoplait. "We recognize the alarming breast cancer statistics facing Hispanic women and are committed to helping them understand their options for early detection and treatment. We hope that our pink lids serve as a reminder for people to think about their breast cancer risk, schedule their yearly mammogram or conduct their breast self-exam."
In 2005 Lopez faced her own battle with the disease when she was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. After sharing her diagnosis with fans, she underwent cancer treatment and has been living cancer-free since 2006.
Visit www.YourLidMatters.com to learn more about the Save Lids to Save Lives program.
About Yoplait
For more than 20 years, Yoplait has been committed to raising awareness of women's issues, including breast cancer, heart health, osteoporosis prevention and fitness. To date, Yoplait and its parent company General Mills have donated more than $22 million to the breast cancer cause over the past 11 years. In addition to the Save Lids to Save Lives campaign, Yoplait is a member of
Susan G. Komen
for the Cure's Million-Dollar Council and is the National Series Presenting Sponsor of the Komen Race for the Cure(R), the largest series of 5K run and fitness walks in the world.
About
Susan G. Komen
for the Cure(R)
Nancy G. Brinker
promised her dying sister,
Susan G. Komen
, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became
Susan G. Komen
for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure(R), we have invested more than $1.3 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about
Susan G. Komen
for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877
GO KOMEN
.
*Center for Disease Control
** American Cancer Society, 2006
Cone
Irma Koopersmith
617-939-8456
Yoplait
David Witt
763-764-2487
