Breast cancer awareness is a year-round campaign for healthcare workers, but the month of October at St. Mary’s Medical Center – and nationally – brings the issue into special focus, with events designed to educate, celebrate and protect.
“We want to reach out to all women affected by breast cancer – our survivors and those currently in treatment, as well as the families of these patients,” said Anne Hammack, breast center coordinator at St. Mary’s. “We plan lots of events in October to accomplish those goals – screening women, celebrating women who have overcome and working to raise funds for the future.”
Breast Cancer Awareness Month began in October 1985 as a week-long event to “fill the information void in public communication about breast cancer,” according to its founding organization of the same name. The goals set forth by the group – to build breast cancer awareness, share information and provide access to screening services – have paved the way for St. Mary’s October plans.
“On the second Thursday of every month, we meet with our breast cancer support group,” Hammack said. “This group is part education and part support for both breast cancer patients and their friends and families. It’s a great place for ladies to share what has happened to them. We get new women in this group every month who have questions, fears, and are feeling overwhelmed. This is an avenue for them to get a lot of input from other women and the frequent speakers that we have.”
On Oct. 16, the second annual “Ladies in Pink” Luncheon will be held at the Guyan Golf and Country Club. Tickets for the event are $35, with proceeds going to the Breast Center’s “Pink Ribbon Fund,” a program to provide free mammograms to patients in need.
“Last year, we raised several thousand dollars and were able to help lots of women who have waited to have mammograms because they couldn’t afford it,” Hammack said. “We helped one patient who had a personal history of breast cancer and hadn’t had a mammogram in seven years. She had lost her insurance several years ago, and we felt great we could help her.”
This year, the luncheon will feature guest speaker Deborah Copeland, a nationally-known motivational speaker and author who will discuss attitude therapy and what impact a positive attitude can have on your overall health. Also, breast cancer survivor Sandra Wright will share her personal journey with breast cancer and her treatment at St. Mary’s.
A breast cancer survivor reunion is planned for Oct. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Breast Center’s outpatient lobby. Dr. Vera Rose, vice president of oncology services, will speak at the afternoon meeting designed to honor breast cancer survivors.
“This is just a day where we pay tribute to our patients and their family members and celebrate their survivorship,” Hammack said. “It’s a fun afternoon. We have lots of food, door prizes and vendors.”
The month’s activities will conclude with the paramount event for the medical center. Tri-State residents can participate in free breast exams and receive coupons for discounted mammograms at St. Mary’s annual “Breast Screening” on Oct. 23 from 1 to 5 p.m. Appointments are recommended and can be made by calling (304) 526-1492.
“We have several different medical providers, including surgeons and gynecologists, who come and donate their time to do free breast exams that day,” Hammack said. “Some people don’t have time to go to their doctor or they forget, and this gives them an opportunity to get a yearly clinical exam.”
The best education a woman can receive about breast health is how to care for her own body. Taking charge of your own breast health includes practicing regular breast self-exams and maintaining appointments for regular clinical exams and mammograms.
“Early detection is, without a doubt, key,” Hammack said. “Women need to be performing monthly examinations at home and scheduling a yearly breast exam with either their family doctor or their gynecologist. You are your own best advocate in knowing if something has changed with your breast tissue, which is why being familiar with your ownbody is so vitally important. You certainly want to communicate any changes with your physician.
“Also, beginning at age 40, it is recommended every woman have an annual mammogram,” she said. “This can change, of course, if you have a really strong family history. Some women might need to begin having mammograms earlier. Communicating with your doctor is crucial.”
Hammack said that monthly breast self-exams are often most easily performed in the shower with the aid of warm, soapy water, just after a monthly menstrual cycle.
“Some people perform these lying down as opposed to being in the shower, and that’s fine,” she explained.
Once a woman has advanced to the annual mammogram stage, Hammack said. St. Mary’s top-of-the-line digital mammography units make the procedure as comfortable as possible.
“Most women tell us their mammogram was very comfortable,” she said. “The design of the new machines seem to be an excellent fit for our patients.”
The machines are called Hologic Selenia Digital Mammography Units. Their paddle shape was designed to be much more comfortable for the patient during the procedure.
“Mammograms are the best screening tool out there, and they literally only take minutes to do,” Hammack said. “Hopefully, when women find out about these specially-designed digital units, it will make them feel more comfortable scheduling their yearly appointment.”
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