By Jim Grazko
President of Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska
Breast cancer affects women and men. Both can get breast cancer, although it's more common among women. And for every woman who is diagnosed, many more men in her life are touched by this disease.
Cancer strikes 3,600 new patients and causes 1,000 deaths each year in Alaska, according to the American Cancer Society. That's why I'm participating in the American Cancer Society's Real Men Wear Pink campaign.
I'm raising money along with other Anchorage business leaders. The funding helps with early detection, prevention, research, and patient support programs.
It's not just about wearing pink. It's about making a real difference in our community.
Alaska has low use of preventive services, like an annual physical or a mammogram. Almost all health plans include preventive services without any extra cost. We highly encourage everyone to take advantage of these benefits “on the house,” if you will.
With increased access to preventive care and support for breast cancer patients, we can begin to help more people recover from this disease.
You can take action too. Join me in talking to people in your life about preventive screening or contribute to Real Men Wear Pink today.
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Jim Grazko is President of Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska & Senior Vice President of Underwriting. Read more about Jim on our executive bios page.