Every Deaf and Hard of Hearing Woman Counts

Introduction

Hello, my name is Darline Clark Gunsauls. Breast Cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women. While it is certainly a life threatening cancer, nearly all women could survive if they found it early. The University of California, San Diego Cancer Center and Deaf Community Services of San Diego together with the UCSD Department of Communication and Gallaudet University have created this Breast Cancer education program for Deaf and severely hard of hearing women. It is important for both communities to have a better understanding of breast cancer, how it can be detected in the earliest possible stages, and why early detection can make a life and death difference. As a deaf woman, I had a very limited understanding of breast cancer before I began to work with this program. As my friend Kathy Buckley will tell you, women who are severely hard of hearing also need to be offered a better understanding of this disease and what to do about it. Kathy will speak to Hard of Hearing women while I sign for the Deaf women.

Breast Cancer is one of the most frightening diseases women face. I know. Thanks to early detection, my chances of survival are excellent. I want other severely hard of hearing and deaf women to have the same excellent chance of survival that I have. Darline Clark Gunsaul has invited us to join her at a breast cancer training session specifically created for deaf and severely hard of hearing women. As a cervical cancer survivor, I know that the more information I have, the earlier I can find breast cancer and the better my chances of survival. Better yet, the earlier that a woman finds a breast cancer, the more treatment choices she will have. Darline's breast cancer education program is just about to begin. Let's join her.