The six Florida Hospital campuses in Volusia and Flagler counties have united forces to attack breast cancer and invite the community to join them in the cause. Men and women alike are encouraged to enlist online in the Pink Army to carry Florida Hospital’s message to the masses.

“Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women,” said surgical oncologist Christopher Windham, MD.

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and nearly 40,000 will die from breast cancer in 2010. However, the number of breast cancer deaths has actually begun to drop at all stages of the disease.

“Breast cancer is one of the most formidable enemies we face today, but it is one that can be beaten through awareness, education and the world-class treatment programs we provide locally at Florida Hospital,” said Sara Sprague, RN, EdD, Administrative Director for Florida Hospital’s Volusia/Flagler Cancer Collaborative. “Specialized training and advances in treatment methods and screening technology has greatly helped combat this disease. That said, the biggest weapon in fighting this on-going battle against breast cancer is an engaged community that is educated on the benefits of annual mammograms and early detection.”

Through Florida Hospital’s Pink Army, individuals from every walk of life are united in the fight against breast cancer. As a messenger of education and awareness, Pink Army “soldiers” battle breast cancer by being proactive in their own health, as well as educating their loved ones about breast cancer and encouraging them to schedule an annual mammogram.

“The only way we can truly defeat this disease is through increased knowledge and action,” said Sprague. “Knowledge that early detection provides the best possible chance for successfully treating and beating breast cancer, and action by encouraging women to begin yearly mammograms at age 40, or earlier if breast cancer runs in the family.”

The more people who join Florida Hospital of Volusia/Flagler in this fight, the more women can be spared from this deadly disease. It is easy to enlist in the Pink Army. Just visit www.JoinThePinkArmy.org and Florida Hospital will provide everything needed to be an effective foot soldier in the Pink Army with extensive online resources and a field kit.