Highland District Hospital will recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its annual Brake for Breakfast event.
According to a press release, Brake for Breakfast will occur at the two junctures at the Fenner Avenue entrance of HDH on Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m.
As women drive through, they will be greeted by physicians and staff members from the Imaging Center and Cancer Care Services. The event will include two stops. At “Breakfast Junction,” women will receive a free continental breakfast to go. Then, at “Pink Place,” they will be given material about breast cancer, as well as a free gift.
The release added that, according to Dr. Regina Melink, more than 600 women participated in Brake for Breakfast last year. She said that the HDH staff is “proud to partner with women to become ‘one less’ breast cancer statistic,” the release stated.
The Imaging Center at HDH is certified by the American College of Radiology. “We provide more than 4,000 digital mammograms each year,” said Misty Campbell, RT, Imaging Center coordinator, in the press release. “We are committed to providing women with the best imaging experience.”
A screening digital mammogram can be scheduled, without a physician’s referral, by patients who are 35 years of age or older. Women must be symptom-free and not pregnant or breast feeding. Appointments can be made by calling the Imaging Center at 937-393-MAMMO (6266).
The HDH press release also cited American Cancer Society statistics, which stated that a woman’s chance of developing invasive breast cancer is a little less than one in eight. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers.
In addition, according to information from Mercy Health, a total of 220,000 women, and 2,150 men, are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the United States. A total of 42,150 people die annually from the disease. With early detection, the survival rate for breast cancer is 98 percent.
Also according to Mercy Health, breast cancer screening should begin at age 40. However, women who are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer should start screenings at age 35, as stated in a video provided by MercyHealth.
In addition, Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center reported in a news release that doctors have “developed new surgeries that are giving women new hope.” Among those, is a procedure that reduces their risk of developing lymphedema by 90 percent.
The release described lymphedema as a “constant and painful swelling in the arms and legs (that is) an unfortunate challenge women who beat breast cancer face.” It affects between 3 and 5 million Americans.
Reach Sarah Allen at 937-393-3456, ext. 1680, or on Twitter @SarahAllenHTG.
