Welcome to Mission Matters for March, 2008. March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month.

As part of our monthly Mission Matters series, we have this blog and our Mission Matters conference call, which is Tuesday, March 11 at Noon ET and 8:30 PM ET. To join the conference call, please dial 1-800-910-2399/passcode: 487160.

Colorectal cancer has been known as the third leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States - and yet it is highly preventable. This month is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, so learn the facts and get tested. It could save your life.

An estimated 55,170 people died from colorectal cancer, commonly called colon cancer, in 2006. That's a number the American Cancer Society is working to reduce. The Society recommends adults aged 50 and older get tested for the disease. People with colon cancer in their families may need to start getting tested when they are younger. Both men and women are at risk, and 90 percent of cases are diagnosed in people older than 50. Many people may be afraid of getting tested - yet the test can save your life.

Welcome to Mission Matters for February.  Each month, Mission Matters includes our Mission Matters Blog here at http://www.relayforlife.org,  a conference call series and newsletter.  Our next conference call will be on Tuesday, February 19 at Noon Eastern and 8:30 PM Eastern.  To join the call:  1-800-910-2399, passcode: 487160.  Watch for the Mission Matters newsletter to post by the end of the month to the Relay Library in the Mission Matters folder.

Did you know that the American Cancer Society has a wonderful on-line resources for cancer survivors and their family and friends?  It is the Cancer Survivors Network^SM.  The Cancer Survivors Network is an online community connects patients, survivors, and their loved ones with others who have "been there" for insight, moral support, and inspiration.  Visit http://www.acscsn.org/ to learn more, be inspired by people facing cancer and even share your story.

Welcome to Mission Matters.  Each month, Mission Matters shares news about ways you can Fight Back against cancer. 

Along with this blog, we also have a Mission Matters newsletter, which posts by the 25th of each month in the Relay Library and we host a Mission Matters conference call.  Our call this month will be Tuesday, January 15 at Noon Eastern and 8:30 PM Eastern time. To join us, please call 1-800-910-2399, passcode: 487160.  Our topic this month is the Great American Health Check. 

It is true that many cancers can be prevented through early detection, eliminating the use of tobacco products, maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular physical activity, practicing sun safety and adopting healthy eating habits.  On Thursday, January 17, 2008, your American Cancer Society will promote awareness of early detection and cancer prevention with the Great American Health Check. 

The Great American Health Check is an online assessment tool available at www.cancer.org/greatamericans or by visiting the Fight Back page here at www.RelayForLife.org.  With the Great American Health Check, you can answer a few simple questions about yourself to learn about recommended prevention strategies and early detection tests based on your age, gender, and family history.  Then, print out the personalized action plan and bring to your health care provider to discussion options that are right for you. 

Welcome to Mission Matters! Each month we focus on ways you can Fight Back against a disease that takes too much. In addition to this blog, be sure to check out the Mission Matters folder in the Relay Library for the Mission Matters newsletter (posting end of December) and we will also host the Mission Matters conference call on Tuesday, December 11 at Noon Eastern and 8:30 PM Eastern.

To join the conference call, please call 1-800-910-2399, passcode 487160.

In this month's Mission Matters we are celebrating the accomplishments of American Cancer Society Research and sharing information about American Cancer Society Clinical Trials Matching Service.

Cancer Prevention Study 3 (CPS-3). In 2007 alone, more than 1.4 million people in the US will be diagnosed with cancer and almost 560,000 people will die of cancer. To better understand ways to prevent cancer, the American Cancer Society's Department of Epidemiology & Surveillance Research is recruiting 500,000 adults across the US and Puerto Rico for a new research study, the Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). Enrollment will take place at select Relay For Life events.

Welcome to Mission Matters. Each month we focus on various topics related to the mission and programs of your American Cancer Society. In addition to this blog, Mission Matters also includes a newsletter, posted in the Relay Library by the 25th of each month and a conference call series. Be sure to watch for Mission Matters podcasts coming soon!

Our next conference call will be December 11 at Noon Eastern and 8:30 PM Eastern.

This month's topics are the Great American Smokeout and Hope Lodge.

Thursday, November 15 is the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout.

Visit www.cancer.org/greatamericans to learn more about the Great American Smokeout, tips for quitting tobacco or helping a loved one to quit and ways you can get involved in fighting back against tobacco.

Fight Back Against Tobacco and Lung Cancer

Welcome to the Mission Matters Blog for October. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Please join us for our Mission Matters conference call. Tuesday, October 16, 2007. Conference calls are at Noon Eastern and 8:30 PM Eastern. Please call:
1-800-910-2399
Passcode - 487160
For more information on the Mission Matters call, click here.

Some Matter of Facts on Breast Cancer
This year, 178,480 women and about 2,030 men in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and nearly 41,000 women and men will die from the disease. However, mammography rates are declining in the United States. Not enough women have access to lifesaving screening and treatment.

Fighting Back against breast cancer starts with taking control of your breast health
• Breast cancer generally can be successfully treated if it is found early.
• All women 40 and older should get a mammogram every year.
• All women should follow the Society's recommended screening guidelines, which include recommendations for women at high risk, such as those with personal or family history or genetic tendency.
• Sign up for a free email mammogram reminder at www.cancer.org/MammogramReminder

Welcome to the Mission Matters blog. Each month we will have new topics that are important to know about as we Fight Back against a disease that takes too much. This blog will post the middle of each month. In addition to the Mission Matters blog, we also have a Mission Matters newsletter and a monthly conference call.

The Mission Matters call this month is Tuesday, September 18 at Noon Eastern and 8:30 PM Eastern. To join the call, please call 1-800-910-2399, passcode: 487160. Mission Matters Call Schedule.

This month we are focusing on Advocacy accomplishments and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and ways you can Fight Back through Advocacy and we will give you some quick facts and tips about breast cancer, as you get ready to fight back against breast cancer in October (and all year long). October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Welcome to Mission Matters for May 2007. This month we are highlighting Cancer Survivors Network and Online I Can Cope Classes, both of which are wonderful resources for those personally experiencing cancer and the loved ones who are supporting them.

Please join us for the Mission Matters Conference Call on Tuesday, May 15 at Noon and 8:30 PM Eastern. Please call 1-800-910-2399, passcode 487160.

Please note, this month is our final Mission Matters Conference Call until September 18, 2007. Please be sure to check the Mission Matters Blog throughout the summer for more information about your American Cancer Society's programs, services, and the advances we are making in the fight cancer. You can also find monthly editions of the Mission Matters newsletter each month in the Relay Library at http://library.relayforlife.org .