KAILUA — Jayme Newhouse is a stickler about her health.

She visits her dentist twice a year, does Pilates regularly and never misses her mammogram.

"I've got two kids and a grandkid," said the 48-year-old owner of the Pilates Training Center of Hawai'i. "I want to make sure I'm around for a long time."

And she wants other women to focus on their health, too.

Next weekend her Pilates studio will host a series of classes for men and women to introduce them to Pilates and raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Cost to attend the class is $10, with all proceeds going to the not-for-profit.

Called "Pilates for Pink," this event, held on Oct. 27 and 28, is part of a national breast cancer awareness initiative put on by Shape magazine. (See box for details.)

The Pilates Training Center of Hawai'i is one of eight Hawai'i-based studios — and one of hundreds around the world — participating in this campaign.

Aside from non-melanoma skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. It's the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in women, exceeded only by lung cancer.

The American Cancer Society estimates 178,480 women in the United States — 820 in Hawai'i — will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

About 40,460 American women will die from the disease this year, 130 in Hawai'i.

Through increased awareness and an emphasis on early detection, though, breast cancer deaths have steadily decreased since 1990.

But, advocates say, more should be done to get the word out about the importance of early detection.

"These young women are generally working mothers or single mothers who work, work, work, and go to the doctor as a last resort when they are ill," said Waynella McNeil, corporate and individual wellness consultant with The Medical Corner and volunteer with the American Cancer Society.

McNeil, who will be talking about breast self-exams at the "Pilates for Pink," has a sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago. The lumps were small enough to be removed with minimal surgery. She's been in remission for nearly five years.

This experience has fueled her drive to help raise awareness about early detection and prevention.

"Everyone has a mom, auntie, neighbor or co-worker that has been affected or can benefit from this information," McNeil said.

"These types of events help raise money for research and provide education on prevention."

Janice Campbell, a breast cancer survivor, has been taking Pilates at the Kailua studio two to three times a week for the past six years.

"After I had surgery for breast cancer, I started a regimen of exercise," Campbell said. "My routine included Pilates, which I found very beneficial. It helped strengthen my arm and improve my flexibility."

The classes held during "Pilates for Pink" will be geared toward all ages, all abilities and all fitness levels, "so everybody has a chance," Newhouse said.

"I hope people walk away with just more awareness about how important mammograms and breast self-exams for women are," Newhouse said. "I want people to know how much support there is out there right now. ... (Breast cancer) is not a death sentence anymore."

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.