Awareness, Empowerment are Keys to Director's Mission

Hillary Rutter of Plainview sees her role in the fight against breast cancer as a method of empowerment for everyone.

The director of the Adelphi Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program believes knowledge is key to that empowerment.

"People need to know that breast cancer is not a death sentence and that the earlier it is found, the more treatable it is, and with better outcomes," said Rutter. "That is why awareness and early detection is essential.

Rutter, a licensed clinical social worker, directs the program, which began in 1980 at Adelphi's School of Social Work as a support group for women who had undergone a mastectomy. The group members felt isolated and wanted to talk about their suffering.

The non-profit program grew over the next three decades into a hotline in 1982 and, in 1990, expanded to include all of New York State as the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program.

The work is satisfying and personal for Rutter, whose mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer 19 years ago, when the Rutter was pregnant with her last child. Rutter's mother-in-law had a mastectomy and is now 93 years old.

"Seeing women helping and empowering other women to take control of their health," is the single most satisfying part of the work, she said.

And that work starts with early detection:

Rutter insists that all women should get a mammogram every year starting at age 40. If the women have a family history of the disease they should talk to their doctors about starting screening earlier.

And prevention and awareness should not be limited just to women:

"It is very important to educate men for two reasons," Rutter said. "One is that men can get breast cancer, and although it is much less common (only 1 percent of men) men need to be aware of any changes in their breast tissue.

"The other is that men often encourage the women in their lives to take care of themselves and to go for annual exams and mammograms," she continued. "Men sometimes discover a lump in their partner's breast and encourage her to see a doctor, possible saving her life."

The hotline employs a professional staff of six full-time and four part-time employees and enlists the help of more than 100 specially trained and supervised volunteers, most of whom are breast cancer survivors.

It answers about 3,500 calls each year that come into New York's only statewide breast cancer hotline. Over 350,000 people visit their website each year as well.  The Hotline services women and men of all ages, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and socio-economic status.  All services are free and confidential. 

The program also offers diversified support groups and individual and family counseling, provided by certified social workers and graduate students. These services are available to women, spouses, couples and family members dealing with breast cancer. 

About 1,500 people participate in the counseling program each year, which offers a variety of educational and community outreach programs each year.

For more information, see the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program website.