www.benefitoptions.az.gov/wellness
The Facts:
• Breast cancer is the second-leading
cause of cancer deaths in
American women.
• An estimated 182,480 new
cases of breast cancer are
expected to be diagnosed in
American women in 2008.
• 1 in every 7 women will have
breast cancer over a 90 year
life span.
The startling statistics listed above
explain why most women fear breast
cancer. But there is more reason for
optimism today than ever before. In
recent years, researchers and doctors
have made great advancements in early
diagnosis and treatment of the disease
and in reducing breast cancer deaths. All
women are at risk for breast cancer and
should know that the key to survival is
early detection and treatment.
Awareness
Knowing the risks for breast cancer and
using preventive techniques may help
save lives. When breast cancer is
discovered early, more treatment options
are available and there is a better chance
for a cure. Some risk factors, such as age,
sex and family history, can not be
changed. For instance, just by aging a
woman’s risk for a breast cancer
diagnosis increases:
° From birth to age 39, the risk is 1 in 229.
° From age 40 to 59, the risk is 1 in 24.
° From age 60 to 79, the risk is 1 in 13.
° From age 80-90, the risk is 1 in 7
Other risk factors including weight,
smoking and a poor diet can be
controlled to help prevent breast cancer.
Experts recommend exercising 5 hours
per week, maintaining a healthy diet and
weight, and refraining from smoking to
control estrogen levels and reduce the
risk of developing the disease.
October 2008
From the Arizona
Department of
Administration,
Benefit Options
Wellness Program
Page 1
It is also important to follow a prevention
action plan for early detection including:
° performing monthly self
breast exams,
° scheduling annual physicals to
check for abnormal breast
findings,
° and having an annual
mammography screening
beginning at age 40.
The State of Arizona Benefit Options
Wellness Program offers mammography
screening through our contract with
Mobile Onsite Mammography (MOM) to
assist women in maintaining an action
plan. MOM travels to perform
mammography screenings at worksites
across Arizona for fast, friendly,
convenient service. MOM directly bills the
Benefit Options insurance, and health plan
members do not have to pay a copay at
these events. For more information refer
to the MOM article on page 4.
When to See Your Doctor
The most common sign of breast cancer is
a lump or thickening in the breast. It is
important to have any unusual breast
changes evaluated promptly. See your
doctor if you discover a lump or any of the
other warning signs of breast cancer. In
addition, talk to your doctor about
developing a breast-screening program,
which may vary, depending on your family
history and other significant risk factors.
Resources:
www.cancer.org ,
www.bewellstaywell.az.gov ,
www.komen.org , www.nbcam.org
October 2008
Page 2 Upcoming Events
2008 Flu Vaccine Season
October 1 — December 31
Protect yourself and your family from the seasonal flu virus. Get your FREE
flu shot from Benefit Options Wellness.
Benefit Options Wellness is providing FREE flu vaccines for benefits eligible State
of Arizona employees and Benefit Options members (retirees, spouses, and de-pendents
over 9 years old).
Where to receive your flu shot:
• State Worksite Clinics
• Healthwaves Public Clinics
• Large Centralized Clinics (listed right)
• Family Day Clinics (see website)
What to bring:
• Employee Identification Number (EIN) of
the primary insured (State employee or re-tiree)
• Benefit Options Insurance Card
• Photo ID
For flu clinic schedules or information regarding the status of the 2008 flu
vaccine program throughout the flu season, you may visit:
www.benefitoptions.az.gov/wellness or call 602-364-2535
Healthwaves public clinic schedule can be found at www.healthwaves.com
Please review all dates/times of clinics frequently as schedules are subject to
change.
Centralized Clinic Dates
Phoenix — Wesley Bolin Plaza
(Capitol Mall)
October 21 — 12pm to 4pm
October 22 — 9am to 1pm
November 13 — 12pm to 4pm
November 14 — 9am to 12pm
Tucson — 400 W. Congress, Rm158
October 27 — 7:30am to 11:30am
November 15 — 10am to 1pm
November 20 — 12pm to 3pm
October 2008 www.benefitoptions.az.gov/wellness
Page 3
Upcoming Events
Pictured above at the September 11, 2008 Kick off
event for the Healthy AZ Smart Choice Program Pilot
are committee members representing DES, DHS, and
DOA. The Kick off event was a success, as the Cafete-ria
sold two times as many “Health Plates” than a typi-cal
day and patrons expressed excitement about the
changes.
State employees from
several agencies stopped
by the Healthy Arizona
Smart Choice Program
table to get more informa-tion
about healthy lunch
and dinner options while
at work or when cooking
for their families
“Red” the Tomato (shown
right) was the event’s
mascot who greeted pa-trons
and handed out free
oranges to various em-ployees
enjoying their
healthy lunches
The Healthy AZ Smart Choice Pro-gram
pilot will run September 8th
through December 12th and will
continue to feature healthy menu
options and improvements in Smart
Choice food labeling such as the
table tent shown here.
Thank you to all who participated in the Healthy Ari-zona
Smart Choice Program kick off event. Please
visit the DES Cafeteria at 1789 W. Jefferson for more
healthy food options and tell a friend. Your support is
greatly appreciated.
Reasons to Log on Now!
With the holiday season quickly approaching, now may
be your best opportunity to take control of your weight,
stress, or diet. The Mayo Clinic Health Assessment
offers a wealth of programs to help make healthy
lifestyle changes. Join the 3,900 State of Arizona
employees who have already taken the Health
Assessment , and the 353 EmbodyHealth Coaching
participants since August.
Even if you have taken the Health Assessment before,
now is a great time to re-evaluate your health and take
action before the holidays. By logging on today at
www.bewellstaywell.az.gov and completing the Health
Assessment you will win a free t-shirt, a chance at a
$25 gift card, and may qualify for FREE EmbodyHealth
Coaching
EmbodyHealth Coaching
Participants who complete the Health Assessment
questionnaire may also be eligible to receive FREE
EmbodyHealth Coaching from the Mayo Clinic. The
Coaching programs offer confidential, one-on-one
telephonic counseling.
Your EmbodyHealth Coach will work to help you:
• Understand the impact of choices that affect your
health
• Identify barriers that prevent you from changing
health habits
• Build skills to help change behavior and improve
health
• Increase motivation and self-confidence
The EmbodyHealth Coaching program has 5 modules to
choose from: Fitness, Nutrition, Weight Management,
Tobacco Cessation, and Stress Management. Each
includes 6 - 8 calls from your personal Mayo Clinic
EmbodyHealth coach. Participants will also receive
educational materials, and are able to call their
EmbodyHealth Coach with any questions or concerns
during the program. Your coach can be your personal
life line to survive the holidays.
Dedicate 15 minutes to your health today!
Log on at www.bewellstaywell.az.gov and take
the Mayo Clinic Health Assessment
www.benefitoptions.az.gov/wellness
Balancing Work, Family, and Self
October 2008
Page 4
wellness information
Created and published by ADOA, Benefit Options Wellness
Program
100 N 15th Ave, Suite 103 Phoenix, AZ 85007
www.benefitoptions.az.gov/wellness
email: wellness@azdoa.gov, phone 602-771-9355
Persons with a disability may request accommodations by
contacting the ADOA Benefits Office. If you need this issue in
“Early detection is the best defense we have
at this time for catching breast cancer in its
earliest stages,” says Catherine Midgette, Ex-ecutive
Vice President of MOM. “If we find the
cancer in its earliest stages, the patient has a
97 percent survival rate.” Mobile On-Site
Mammography (MOM) travels to perform
mammography screenings at worksites across
Arizona.
MOM will directly bill insurance. Benefit Op-tions
health plan members do not have to pay
a copay at these events. (Other insurance
plan members may have a copay. Check with
your insurance’s member services department
for more information.)
Call MOM at 480-967-3767 to schedule
your appointment.
This service is generally provided on a re-quest-
basis. Call MOM at 480-967-3767 or 1-
800-285-0272 to schedule this service at
your worksite. There is a minimum of 25 peo-ple
required. The MOM van will be parked
outside the following locations:
October 15 — Phoenix
ASU, Downtown
350 N. 1st Ave
7:30am��10am
October 15 — Phoenix
AZ State Hospital
2500 E. Van Buren
12pm—5pm
What Services & Programs are
Offered by Benefit Options Wellness?
The Wellness website has the complete list of
screenings, classes and other programs
available to be requested and scheduled at
State worksites.
Wellness events are requested and coordinated by
State employees at worksites. Most programs are
available throughout Arizona. If you are interested in
hosting a program at your worksite, visit the
Wellness website to view what is available and learn:
How To Request and Schedule
Worksite Events
Event requests must be submitted online. Complete
the brief form, including contact information and the
event requested and hit “submit!” A Wellness team
member will reply to your request.
SCREENING SERVICES STATUS:
Screening contracts were awarded on
June 17th. Wellness is currently taking
requests for screenings at State worksites
EDUCATIONAL CLASSES STATUS:
Wellness is currently working to re-implement
the following services by
November 1st
• Chair Massage
• Weight Management Series
• Educational courses
Thank you for your patience during the
contracting period
