University of Maryland Shore Regional Health will promote October as Breast Cancer Awareness month with various activities throughout the month, all aimed at increasing awareness of breast cancer and how it can be best detected, prevented and treated. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer, taking the lives of approximately 40,000 women annually.
“October is a great time to educate people about the importance of prevention and early detection when it comes to breast cancer,” says Roberta Lilly, MD, Medical Director for UM Shore Regional Health’s Breast Center. “Regular mammography screening, self breast examination and knowing your family history of cancer all help lower breast cancer mortality by finding breast cancer early—when the chance of successful treatment is best and the survival rate is highest.”
Some of the planned activities include the following:
- Pink Ribbon Hanging & Tree Lighting, October 1, Chestertown and Easton locations:
o Chestertown: To kick off the activities surrounding Breast Cancer Awareness Month, staff and volunteers from the Radiology Department and The Eleanor and Ethel Leh Women’s Center, UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown will hang pink ribbons in honor and/or memory of those patients who have been treated for breast cancer; are breast cancer survivors; and/or for those who have lost their battle with breast cancer. These ribbons will be hung on the trees directly outside the Medical Services Building at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown. Once decorated with the ribbons, the trees will serve as a month-long reminder of the friends, neighbors and loved ones whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. Ribbons will be available at the Radiology Department front desk, The Eleanor and Ethel Leh Women’s Center, and the hospital cafeteria, prior to October 1. For more information, call 410-810-5459.
o Easton: To kick off the activities surrounding Breast Cancer Awareness Month, staff and volunteers from UM Shore Regional Health’s Breast Center will hang pink ribbons in honor of those patients who were treated by the Breast Center in the past year. These ribbons will be hung on the large tree in the front circle at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton. A public ribbon ceremony will be held on Wednesday, October 1 at 6:30pm. Once decorated with the ribbons, the tree will serve as a month-long reminder of the friends, neighbors and loved ones whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. This tree will be lit with pink lights throughout the month.
- “Get Your Pink On!” Pink Hair Extensions, October 2, 11:00am-1:00pm, Easton: Visit the UM Shore Regional Health’s Breast Center on October 2, between 11:00am and 1:00pm to purchase pink hair extensions, provided by local hair studio Headrush 180 Salon. Hair extensions are $10. All proceeds collected by Headrush 180 Salon will be donated to the Breast Center.
- Cancer Survivor Art Gallery Opening & Reception, October 3, 4-6:00pm, Easton: The UM Shore Regional Health’s Breast Center art gallery will mark its fifth anniversary with an exhibit that features the art of breast and cancer survivors. The art exhibit and reception opens on Friday, October 3, from 4pm-6:00pm, at the Breast Center. The public is invited to this free event. The exhibit will continue through the end of this year.
- “Pink Carnival” An Education Carnival on Breast Cancer, October 22, 11am-2pm, Chestertown: An educational and fun-filled event to build awareness about breast cancer and to offer hope to those touched by breast cancer. Learn the latest facts and research about breast cancer while participating in games and activities. Meet the staff from the Radiology Department and The Eleanor and Ethel Leh Women’s Center, UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown. Event held in the Courtyard (weather permitting) at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown. The public is invited to this free event. For more information, call 410-810-5459.
- Open House, October 28, 5-7:00pm, Easton: The public is invited to attend the UM Shore Regional Health’s Breast Center’s Open House on Tuesday, October 28, from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Attendees will be able to tour the UM Shore Regional Health’s Breast Center, learn more about the Breast Center’s services and meet the staff.
- Tree of Hope, Easton: To honor a loved one diagnosed with breast cancer, members of the public may come to the UM Shore Regional Health’s Breast Center and hang a pink ribbon on the Tree of Hope, which is located in the Breast Center year round. The ribbons have space to write a loved one’s name or message and can be done in honor or remembrance. Visitors may come to the Tree of Hope Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.
- Breast Cancer Support Groups, all locations:
o Cambridge: Women Supporting Women Breast Cancer Group meets the 4th Tuesday of every month, 6:30pm, at the Christ Episcopal Church, Cambridge. For more information call 410-463-0946 or 410-228-3161.
o Chestertown: Cancer Support Group meets the 4th Monday of every month, 7pm-9pm, at the Education Center, UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown. Special guest speaker: Jennifer Pierson, OT/L, CLT, LANA, will discuss breast cancer related lymphedema. For more information call 410-778-7668, ext 2175 or email [email protected].
o Easton: The CARES Breast Cancer Support Group meets the 4th Tuesday of every month, 6pm-7:30pm, at the Cancer Center, UM Shore Regional Health, 509 Idlewild Avenue, Easton. For more information call 410-822-1000, ext 5411.Note: For the month of October 2014, this meeting is combined with the Open House at the Breast Center location, from 5pm-7pm.
- Special Groups:
o Look Good, Feel Better: This is a free American Cancer Society (ACS) program open to all women with cancer and is held on the 3rd Monday every month, 10am-noon, at the Cancer Center, UM Shore Regional Health, 509 Idlewild Avenue, Easton. The program offers tips for hair care, skin care and make-up, samples, and access to the Wig Room. For more information about this group, call 410-822-1000, ext 5355.
o Survivors Offering Support (SOS) program: A unique program that pairs women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer with trained volunteer mentors. Because SOS mentors are breast cancer survivors themselves, they can offer emotional support and insight to patients facing the same diagnosis, making the breast cancer journey an easier one to navigate. If you are in need of support or would like to become a mentor and would like more information, call Edla Coleman, SOS coordinator, at 410-822-1000, ext. 5866 or by e-mail at [email protected].
UM Shore Regional Health provides a full array of diagnostic services, including mammography, advanced 3-D digital mammography, ultrasound, breast MRI and biopsies along with a survivorship program, support groups and other resources for patients, their family members, friends and loved ones. For more information about breast services, please visit www.umshoreregional.org.
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