With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic is helping raise breast cancer awareness through two programs.

Gift certificates of $20 to Maura’s Café or Two Sisters Bakery are being offered to women who schedule well-woman health checks and clinical breast exams during October. The women also will be entered into a drawing for a free massage. The incentives are for women new to KBFPC or women overdue for well-woman visits. The visits can be scheduled during October, but must be completed by the end of the year. Because yearly exams play a key part in early detection of breast cancer, they are recommended on a yearly basis.

A showing of “Survive and Thrive: Hope, Truth and Laughter” will be held at the REC Room of KBFPC’s Outreach Center at 4 p.m. Saturday. By filmmaker Mary Katzke of Affinityfilms, “Survive and Thrive” was filmed in Homer and Halibut Cove. It features long-term breast cancer survivors and was created to provide insight and hope for those recently diagnosed with breast cancer. A question-and-answer time will follow the movie.

Katzke, whose mother died from breast cancer, was diagnosed with the disease in 1992. She made a commitment that if she made her five-year anniversary, she would create a film about long-term survivors who honestly portrayed their experience and made the process manageable. 

Her commitment resulted in “Between Us: The Girlfriends Inside Guide to Facing Breast Cancer.” Released in 1998, it has helped thousands of women. “Survive and Thrive” is a new, state-of-the-art, comprehensive DVD replacing the now-dated “Between Us.” 

There is no charge for the screening. Copies of the DVD, as well as a second one that includes answers to 90 questions on everything from nutrition to reconstruction, will be on sale and donations accepted. 

Newly diagnosed women are eligible for free copies of the film every year through support from Breast Cancer Focus Inc. and the Alaska Run For Women.