1/7/2008Vivien Leigh, reporter
WCSH6 (Portland TV station, Maine, USA)
AUGUSTA (NEWS CENTER) -- As a two-time breast cancer survivor, Jackie Tanner has spent years reaching out to women undergoing treatment. But she never thought her efforts to educate people about the deadly disease would take her half-way around the world.
On any given day, you'll find Tanner at Augusta's Harold Alfond Center For Cancer Care, where she comforts women who are fighting breast cancer.
She knows the struggles they face all to well. She beat the deadly disease twice. But educating others about breast cancer took on a new meaning last year when she was invited to share her story with women in Cambodia.
"Many of them feel that cancer is a death sentence, and the first thing to do to help them understand is that we have treatments today that can cure cancer or put cancer in remission so they can go on with their lives," said Tanner.
Tanner visited several women's crisis centers that provide shelter, programs and services to victims of domestic violence. She says in Cambodia, treatment for breast cancer is scarce and costly. Women receive little education and there are no support groups. There are also other cultural challenges.
"Many women felt they were shunned, that people believed they would be contaminated from them," Tanner explained.
Tanner is headed back to Cambodia in the next few days. She's bringing pamphlets and other information on how to perform a breast exam.
She hopes empowering women there will keep them from becoming victims of Cambodian society, as well as the disease.
If you would like information about volunteer programs with the American Cancer Society click on related link.
On any given day, you'll find Tanner at Augusta's Harold Alfond Center For Cancer Care, where she comforts women who are fighting breast cancer.
She knows the struggles they face all to well. She beat the deadly disease twice. But educating others about breast cancer took on a new meaning last year when she was invited to share her story with women in Cambodia.
"Many of them feel that cancer is a death sentence, and the first thing to do to help them understand is that we have treatments today that can cure cancer or put cancer in remission so they can go on with their lives," said Tanner.
Tanner visited several women's crisis centers that provide shelter, programs and services to victims of domestic violence. She says in Cambodia, treatment for breast cancer is scarce and costly. Women receive little education and there are no support groups. There are also other cultural challenges.
"Many women felt they were shunned, that people believed they would be contaminated from them," Tanner explained.
Tanner is headed back to Cambodia in the next few days. She's bringing pamphlets and other information on how to perform a breast exam.
She hopes empowering women there will keep them from becoming victims of Cambodian society, as well as the disease.
If you would like information about volunteer programs with the American Cancer Society click on related link.
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