Breast Cancer Awareness Month
For nearly four decades, the U.S. has recognized October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time annually devoted to education about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.
Cabell Huntington Hospital and St. Mary's Medical Center invite the community to join in painting the area pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer and the importance of early detection.
Businesses are asked to decorate their store fronts or buildings with pink lights, breast cancer awareness slogans or be creative and support the cause in their own way. Community members are also asked to wear pink Friday, Oct. 6, as part of the MHN Pink Out!.
Also during October, women are encouraged to schedule their annual mammogram. The Cancer Centers of MHN recommend women receive a mammogram each year, beginning at age 40. If a woman has a close relative who had breast cancer, she should begin her annual mammograms 10 years prior to the age of diagnosis. For uninsured and underinsured women who meet certain income guidelines, funding is available to cover all or part of the cost of a mammogram through the Good Samaritan and Pink Ribbon funds of the Cabell Huntington Hospital (CHH) and St. Mary’s Medical Center (SMMC) foundations. Other activities are listed below.
Schedule of Events
Wednesday, Oct. 4
Dining with a Doc
Mary Legenza, MD, FACS, chief of breast oncology at Marshall Health and associate professor at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, will be the guest doc to talk about breast cancer diagnosis and treatment and to help prepare a healthy meal. The class is free, but registration is required.
To Register: www.huntingtons-kitchen.org
Location: Huntington’s Kitchen, 911 Third Ave.
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 6
MHN Pink Out!
Community members and employees at all MHN facilities are encouraged to wear pink to raise awareness of the impact of breast cancer and to support those who are dealing with the disease. T-shirts can be purchased in the gift shops at both Cabell Huntington Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center. Community members are asked to share photos to MHN social media accounts by using #MHNPinkOut on their posts.
Thursday, Oct. 12
Breast Cancer Support Group
A free support group for patients with breast cancer, breast cancer survivors and their loved ones. Registration is required.
To Register: 304.526.8221
Location: St. Mary’s Conference Center, 2849 Fifth Ave.
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 16
Ladies in Pink Luncheon
Ben Moosavi, MD, medical director of St. Mary’s Breast Center, will present “Making Yourself a Priority.” Breast cancer survivors, Dr. Nika Hettlinger and Cristy McClellan will also speak. Tickets are $50, with all proceeds going to the St. Mary’s Pink Ribbon Fund, which provides mammograms to uninsured and underinsured women.
To Register: Call 304.526.1149 by Monday, Oct. 9.
Location: St. Mary's Conference Center, 2849 Fifth Ave., Huntington
Time: 12-1 p.m., with shopping beginning at 11 a.m.
Sisters of Hope Breast Cancer Support Group
A free support group for patients with breast cancer. Registration is required.
To Register: 304.526.2443
Location: Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center Resource Room
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 20
MHN Collaborative Breast Cancer Symposium
Health care professionals are invited to learn more about the future of breast cancer treatment from experts in the fields of oncology, nursing and pharmacy. A panel of breast cancer survivors will also speak. The symposium is free to MHN employees and $35 for all other health care professionals. Breakfast and lunch is included. CEUs will be offered for nursing, radiology technology and social work, pending approval.
To Register: Visit www.mountainhealthfoundations.org/BCSymposium
Location: St. Mary’s Conference Center, 2849 Fifth Ave.
Time: 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 23
Breast Cancer Survivor Dinner
All breast cancer survivors are invited to attend this free evening of food, fun and fellowship. This dinner is sponsored by Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center.
To register: www.mountainhealthfoundations.org/BCSurvivorDinner
Location: St. Mary's Conference Center, 2849 Fifth Ave.
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 25
Free Breast Screening
Attendees will receive a free clinical breast exam and a coupon for a discounted mammogram. Screenings are by appointment only.
To Schedule: 304.526.1492
Location: St. Mary’s Breast Center
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 29
Breast Cancer Survivor Reunion
A free event for breast cancer survivors and their supportive family members and friends. Survivors Dr. Nika Hettlinger and Amber Kitchen will be the guest speakers. This event is sponsored by St. Mary's Regional Cancer Center.
To register: 304.526.8221
Location: St. Mary's Conference Center, 2849 Fifth Ave.
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 3
Free Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Event
Screening consists of a clinical breast exam and pap smear. Free mammograms will be offered for uninsured and underinsured patients who have any findings from the exam.
To Schedule: 304.399.6628
Location:Breast Center, Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center
Time: 1-4 p.m.
