Through the effort, Spalding Regional Medical Center is promoting early detection and testing that could save the lives of the approximately 180,000 women who are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. During October, Spalding Regional will also be offering priority scheduling for screening mammograms.

“Our emphasis is about more than just helping women to remember to get a mammogram,” explains John Quinn, Chief Executive Officer of Spalding Regional Medical Center. “It’s about educating women on the importance of early detection through monthly self-exams, regular clinical exams, annual screening mammograms and keeping their health a priority.”

In addition, Spalding Regional’s Breast Cancer Awareness Team will be out in the community educating women on the importance of breast health and risk factors for breast cancer. The team, which consists of Spalding Regional staff members and breast cancer survivors, make presentations to organizations and groups within the community in October and year-round. Using a beaded necklace, the team teaches women the effectiveness of different breast cancer screening methods with the largest bead signifying the size of a lump a woman would find if she does not do breast self-exams or have clinical breast exams or screening mammograms.

In 2006, the Spalding Regional Breast Cancer Awareness Team reached more than 670 women in the community with this important message. This year, the team is hoping to reach even more women. To date, more than 15 presentations have been scheduled in the community for October. If you have a group that is interested in hosting a breast health presentation, call Liz Tarleton, Community Educator at Spalding Regional Medical Center, at (770) 233-2001. (Click here for more information)

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1,500 people die each day in the U.S. from cancer. Approximately 559,650 Americans are expected to succumb to the disease this year – one of every four deaths nationwide. Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths among women. An estimated 178,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer among women are forecast this year. Approximately 40,460 women will die from the disease.1