Thunder Bay breast health initiative extends to Northshore

by Karina Hunter

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Styling for Life a breast health promotion campaign, piloted in Thunder Bay last year with great success, is being launched across the Thunder Bay District and Northwest Region. It is the beginning of a unique partnership with hair salons to involve them in the promotion of breast health to women.

In Northwestern Ontario, only half of all eligible women are screened regularly for breast cancer but with the involvement of area hair salons, the Regional Cancer Care Centre and Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) hope to reach out to all women age 50 and over.  The Styling for Life campaign, running from October 1 to October 31, 2009, builds on the special relationship between stylists and their clients, TBDHU will be providing salons with simple facts about breast health and fun promotional items to encourage easy and open conversation between stylists and clients about the importance of breast screening for women. 

This week, Shear Talent and MJ’s Hair Salon in Manitouwadge will be meeting with District Health Nurse, Jackie Jung, RN, and salons in Marathon, Terrace Bay/Schreiber, Longlac/Geraldton, and Nipigon will each be meeting with their respective District Health Nurses,  to receive the Styling for Life packages provided by Regional Cancer Care as well as information to facilitate the initiative. Look for the Styling for Life logo in the window of the salon you frequent, and ask your hair stylist about steps you could be taking to be pro-active in the fight against breast cancer!

Submitted to The Echo, 09.19.09 Submitted to the Chronicle Journal 09.20.09