National Planned Parenthood Releases New Video to Educate Women Under 40

ALBANY, NY (10/08/2012)(readMedia)-- Planned Parenthood, the nation's leading women's health care provider and advocate, is encouraging women under 40 to take control of their breast health-and has released a new video today to help educate young women on what to do if they notice a change in their breasts.

"Too often women under 40 dismiss a lump as something that does not need attention, or the fear of what an abnormality could be becomes paralyzing," said Dr. Deborah Nucatola, Senior Director of Medical Services, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "Our goal is to break down those myths and fears, and provide women with more information so that they can be their own best breast expert. This video helps do that."

Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 9th at 1PM EST, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Dr. Nucatola and Dr. Mark Pearlman, a preeminent breast cancer expert and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan, will also be leading a Twitter Town Hall on breast health as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The online conversation will allow individuals to ask questions by using the hash tag #betterbreasthealth or mentioning @PPFAQ.

In addition, Planned Parenthood released a video last week featuring Gabrielle Union, star of the new BET drama Being Mary Jane and Planned Parenthood breast health advocate, discussing the need for women to move beyond their fear when they find an abnormality in their breast.

"Fear is what prevented my dear friend Kristen from getting a breast abnormality checked out -and that fear cost Kristen her life," said Union. "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time to take action and educate ourselves and our friends, so that if something doesn't feel right, you talk to a doctor or nurse as soon as possible."

Planned Parenthood doctors and nurses play a unique role in delivering health care to young women, as 94 percent of Planned Parenthood patients are under the age of 40 – and help young women understand the screening that's best for them as well as the factors that can reduce their breast cancer risk - including getting regular exercise and limiting alcohol intake.

Clinical breast exams are the first line of defense for providers in detecting breast cancer in most young women. Each year, Planned Parenthood doctors and nurses provide nearly 750,000 breast exams. Like most ob/gyns and primary care physicians, if a Planned Parenthood health care provider finds an abnormality during an exam, the patient is referred to a breast specialist for further examination, which may include diagnostic tests, like an ultrasound or biopsy. Planned Parenthood's newly established diagnostic grant program helps to cover the costs of these tests for patients when possible, as the tests can be costly, especially for uninsured and low-income women.

One in five women in America has turned to Planned Parenthood at some point in her life for health care. To date, 47 Planned Parenthood affiliates have applied for and received funding to expand their breast health services to cover the costs of diagnostic follow up care. To learn more, go to plannedparenthood.org/breast-health.

View the breast health education video here: http://www.youtube/shsBvHInv_I

View the Gabrielle Union video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIgdVgg6zq4

Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood (UHPP) is a community-based non-profit organization providing advocacy, education and medical services for reproductive health care since 1934. Ninety percent of UHPP services are preventive, including life saving cancer screening, GYN exams, birth control and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. In 2011, over 15,000 patients made 22,382 visits to UHPP health centers located at 855 Central Avenue in Albany, 190 Fairview Ave. in Hudson and 200 Broadway in Troy. Call 1-800-230-PLAN or go to www.uhpp.org to find the closest Planned Parenthood health center.UHPP health educators present over 800 education programs reaching 5,600 youth and young adults each year. UHPP services are delivered with special concern for the underserved.