Survey Reveals Women Aren't Doing All They Can To Support Breast Health

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Article Date: 24 Jul 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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A recent Yankelovich survey unveiled that although a large majority of women know there are simple steps they can take to support breast health, few women are taking the necessary actions. What's more, 80 percent of the women surveyed have been personally affected by breast cancer or know someone who has been. To address this issue, One A Day Women's Multivitamins is encouraging women to join a virtual march against breast cancer through the One A Day Women's Take A Stand Campaign.

The survey also found that one in five women who support breast health or breast cancer awareness causes wish they could do more, and 60 percent of women who have not supported breast cancer organizations and causes say they lack the time or money. Joining the Take A Stand virtual march provides a quick, easy and free way for women to help raise funds to support breast cancer awareness and research. For each character created, the One A Day brand will make a donation to a breast cancer cause selected by consumers. The organizations that will be included are: The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the American Cancer Society and Breast Cancer Network of Strength.

"This program is part of our continued efforts to increase awareness about the importance of supporting breast health," said Barton Warner, Vice President of Marketing and New Business for Bayer Consumer Care. "Last year One A Day Women's woke women up about breast cancer through the One A Day Women's Wake-Up Call program, and now it's time women answer the call by taking a stand."

The goal of this program is not only to raise breast cancer awareness and reach thousands of women by the end of October, but also to get women to take action to promote their own breast health. Each character created will help to spread the word about the simple things women can do.

"I encourage women to take a proactive approach to their overall health by exercising and maintaining a well-balanced diet," said Lisa Drayer, MA, RD, author and health reporter. "I was surprised that the survey found that only half of women know that taking a daily multivitamin with vitamin D is an essential behavior that supports breast and bone health. Just a few simple things can make a big difference like doing self-exams and if you are over 40, getting mammograms regularly. Also, women should eat healthy, exercise and take a multivitamin with high levels of vitamin D."

One A Day Women's multivitamins are formulated with 800 IUs, twice the daily value of vitamin D. Emerging research suggests that 1000 IUs of vitamin D per day can help support breast health.

About the Survey

The survey was conducted by Yankelovich, part of The Futures Company, on behalf of Bayer HealthCare. Results were obtained through telephone interviews among a nationally representative sample of 500 women 18 years of age and older. Interviews took place June 19-21, 2009. Additional findings include:

-- Despite knowing what to do for breast health, many women are not taking such actions on a regular basis

-- 95 percent know it's important to eat a healthy diet for breast health, but only 53 percent report doing so regularly

-- 93 percent know they should conduct regular breast self-exams, but only 47 percent do regularly

-- 88 percent know they should get a mammogram every year, but only 68 percent of women 45 and older report doing so

-- 84 percent know they should exercise, but only 33 percent say they regularly exercise vigorously for at least 30 minutes

-- 59 percent know they should take a multivitamin daily with vitamin D; 53 percent report taking a multivitamin daily

-- Eight in ten women have supported a breast cancer organization or cause

-- 71 percent have given money; 32 percent have volunteered

-- 80 percent have been personally affected by breast cancer or know someone who has been, with 16 percent being personally affected by breast cancer and 75 percent who were affected through someone they knew

-- 21 percent of these breast health supporters are interested in becoming more active

-- 60 percent of women who are not active say they lack the time or money

About Breast Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women (after skin cancer), accounting for more than 1 in 4 cancers diagnosed in US women. In addition, 1 out of 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. The cause of breast cancer is unknown, and there is no known way to prevent breast cancer from occurring. However, women can learn the risk factors and promote early detection with regular breast self-exams, annual mammograms and clinical check-ups.

About One A Day Multivitamins

Bayer Consumer Care's complete line of One A Day products provides gender-specific and performance/lifestyle benefits based on individual health needs. The One A Day multivitamin line includes One A Day Women's with calcium and vitamin D for bone strength and breast health, One A Day Men's Health Formula specially formulated to support a healthy heart, healthy eyes and energy, One A Day Men's 50+ Advantage which supports a healthy heart, healthy eyes and energy and includes ginkgo to support memory, One A Day Women's 50+ Advantage with calcium and vitamin D for bone strength and breast health and ginkgo to support memory and concentration, One A Day Women's Active Metabolism for metabolism and energy support, One A Day Women's Prenatal with DHA to support healthy fetal brain and eye development, One A Day Women's Active Mind & Body to support mental alertness and physical energy, One A Day Teen Advantage for Her to help address teen girls' important concerns like healthy skin and One A Day Teen Advantage for Him to address teen boys' important concerns like healthy muscle function.

Source: Bayer Consumer Care

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