Academy Award Nominee, Actress and Breast Cancer Survivor, Diahann Carroll, Joins Effort to Help Women Understand Breast Health as They Age NEW YORK, July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Women most at risk for developing breast cancer were the least likely to realize it according to a recent, national survey. Being over age 50 places a woman at an increased risk for developing breast cancer.(1) Yet, only 37 percent of women aged 55 or older listed breast cancer as a disease they were most concerned about as they age.(2) "As a nurse practitioner for more than 30 years, I've seen many older women diagnosed with breast cancer, and of those women, many thought they were too old to get it. Some actually denied that they could even have the disease because of their age," said Susan Wysocki, president and CEO of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health. "This survey validates the need to educate women about their breast health and understand how they can determine their own risk for breast cancer." The national survey was conducted by Harris Interactive(R) to better understand women's current beliefs and attitudes about breast cancer and its risks. Sponsored by the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) and Eli Lilly and Company, the survey is the cornerstone for a national educational campaign titled, Strength in Knowing: The Facts and Fiction of Breast Cancer Risk. "I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 63, and because I had no family history of breast cancer, I didn't know I was at risk just because of my age," said Academy Award Nominee, Actress and breast cancer survivor Diahann Carroll. "Now I constantly ask my healthcare professionals questions about my health, including my breast health, because I've learned that it is my responsibility to find out what will keep me as healthy as I can be." Diahann Carroll is a breast cancer survivor and Academy Award Nominated actress best known for her ground breaking roles as a single-working mother in the 1960's drama, "Julia" and as the outspoken Dominique Deveraux in "Dynasty." When a mammogram detected a lump, Ms. Carroll took charge of her health, and urges other women to do the same. "Women need to understand that their health -- including their breast health -- is their responsibility," adds Ms. Carroll. "There is strength in knowing how to take care of yourself so that you can be as healthy as possible -- asking your doctor questions, seeking out information and eating well and exercising are crucial components to leading a healthy lifestyle." Survey Findings(2) The survey, which polled 1,158 U.S. women aged 35+, revealed that women did not identify age as a primary risk factor for breast cancer. Specifically, the survey showed: * More women (71 percent) ranked family history as an "extremely" or "very" important risk factor for breast cancer compared to increasing age (36 percent),(2) when in fact only 15 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family member with the disease.(3) * 75 percent of women surveyed did not recognize that being over age 50 presents the greatest risk for developing breast cancer. * Only 37 percent of women aged 55+ listed breast cancer as a disease they were most concerned about as they age. * One-third (33 percent) of women mistakenly believe that the importance of a regular mammogram decreases with age. 23 percent indicated they believe that the age at which the importance of getting a mammogram starts to decrease is at some point after age 60. * More than one third of women (35 percent) indicated they got most of their health information from a family physician, with the Internet being ranked second (18 percent), the news media third (17 percent) and an OB/GYN fourth (16 percent). Breast Cancer and Age Approximately 200,000 new breast cancer cases develop in the United States each year.(4) When assessing the risk of developing breast cancer, simply being a woman is the most significant factor, followed by age.(1) Age is one of the most significant risk factors for breast cancer. From ages 30 to 39, the risk of developing breast cancer is one out of 229; from ages 40 to 49, the risk is one out of 68; however, from ages 50 to 59, the risk jumps to one out of 37 and from ages 60 to 69, the risk is one out of 26.(5) It is important that women talk with their doctor or healthcare professional to separate the myths from the facts in breast health. While no one knows the exact cause of breast cancer, women who know the facts about risk factors may be better equipped to address their breast health, including scheduling clinical breast exams and mammograms. About Strength in Knowing: The Facts and Fiction of Breast Cancer Risk Strength in Knowing: The Facts and Fiction of Breast Cancer Risk, sponsored by the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) and Eli Lilly and Company, is a national education campaign designed to help women separate the facts from fiction regarding breast health. For information on breast health and questions to ask a doctor or healthcare professional about the risk factors for breast cancer, go to http://www.strengthinknowing.com/. About the Survey This survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health and Eli Lilly and Company between January 17 to 19, 2006 among 1,158 U.S. adult women aged 35 and older, of whom 979 have had a mammogram. Figures for region, age within gender, education, household income and race/ethnicity were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. With a pure probability sample of 1,158 U.S. adult women one could say with a ninety-five percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/-5 percentage points. Sampling error for various sub- samples is higher and varies. However that does not take other sources of error into account. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no theoretical sampling error can be calculated. Complete survey results are available at http://www.strengthinknowing.com/, http://www.harrisinteractive.com/ or upon request. About Diahann Carroll Diahann Carroll is an American actress and singer. Her television nominations go back to 1963 for outstanding single performance by an actress in a leading role for the series "Naked City." In 1968, she became the first black actress in television history to star in her own series, "Julia," for NBC, which soared to the top of the Nielsen ratings and received an Emmy nomination in its first year on the air, for best actress starring in a comedy. In 1992, she received the Women in Film Crystal Award for her excellence in work and for the accomplishment and contributions she has made to the advancement of women in the entertainment industry. Carroll was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 and underwent surgery and radiation therapy. Since then, she has worked to increase cancer awareness and help women with limited resources get breast cancer screenings. Carroll serves as a spokeswoman for the National Women's Cancer Research Alliance and has been a major supporter of the Westside Challenge to Beat Breast Cancer in Los Angeles, Calif. About The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH) The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (formerly the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Reproductive Health) was founded in 1980. NPWH's mission is to assure the provision of quality health care to women of all ages by nurse practitioners. NPWH defines quality health care to be inclusive of an individual's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. NPWH is a trusted source of information on nurse practitioner education, practice, and women's health issues. NPWH works with a wide range of individuals and groups within nursing, medicine, the health care industry, and the women's health community. About Eli Lilly and Company Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at http://www.lilly.com/. O-LLY. About Harris Interactive Harris Interactive is the 13th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world. The company provides research-driven insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll, one of the longest running, independent opinion polls and for pioneering online market research methods. The company has built what could conceivably be the world's largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online. Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its United States, Europe and Asia offices, its wholly-owned subsidiary Novatris in France and through a global network of independent market research firms. The service bureau, HISB, provides its market research industry clients with mixed-mode data collection, panel development services as well as syndicated and tracking research consultation. More information about Harris Interactive may be obtained at http://www.harrisinteractive.com/. To become a member of the Harris Poll Online, visit http://www.harrispollonline.com/. MG-41319 706 Printed in USA (C) 2006 Eli Lilly and Company All Rights Reserved (1) What causes breast cancer? American Cancer Society. Accessed at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_2X_What_causes_breast_cancer _5.asp?sitearea=. on July 14, 2006. (2) Executive Summary for Breast Cancer Study conducted by Harris Interactive(R) via QuickQuery(SM) online omnibus service, January 17-19, 206: 1-12 (3) Signs and Symptoms. National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. Accessed at http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/signs_and_symptoms/ on June 7, 2005. (4) Cancer Facts and Figures 2005. American Cancer Society. Accessed at http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/CAFF2005f4PWSecured.pdf on Jan. 5, 2006. (5) Screening Mammograms: Questions and Answers. National Cancer Institute. Accessed at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/screening-mammograms on July 18, 2006. DATASOURCE: Eli Lilly and Company; National Association of Nurse Practitioners in CONTACT: Keri McGrath of Lilly, +1-317-651-6001; or Heather Hinckley of MS&L, +1-212-468-3725

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