PMH HealthBeat

National
Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pocahontas Memorial Hospital employees – men and women alike – wore pink October 18 to raise awareness of breast cancer. 
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and at 10 a.m. that day Chief Executive Officer Barbara Lay read a proclamation declaring it Breast Cancer Awareness Day at the hospital. 

Radiology Supervisor Cheryl Cain, who was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer and has just completed 33 rounds of radiation, spoke about her experience and implored women in attendance to get regular mammograms. 

A pink-bedecked wreath was hung on the front door and Barbara Campbell, a 27- year breast cancer survivor, distributed literature, cupcakes and pink punch in the front lobby to visitors, patients and staff. 

PMH was honored to have three breast cancer survivors in attendance for the ceremony.

Overall rates of breast cancer occurrences are decreasing, but, according to the American Cancer Society, it is still the second leading cause of death among women. 

One in every eight women has the chance of developing breast cancer at some point in her lifetime.  More than 3/4 of the breast cancers diagnosed each year occur in women who are 50 or older; this is why it is extremely important to get a mammogram every year after the age of 40.  For women ages 20 to 39, mammograms are recommended every three years. 

Regular mammograms are even more important for women who smoke.  The National Cancer Institute recently reported that there is a direct correlation between smoking cigarettes and the increased risks for developing breast cancer.  In addition to causing lung cancer, tobacco use also increases one’s chances of developing cancers of the mouth, lips, nose and sinuses, voice box, throat, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterus, cervix, colon/rectum and ovary, as well as acute myeloid leukemia.  It also raises the risk of many other health problems, including heart and lung diseases.

Early detection can save your life. Please schedule a mammogram today.