Reprinted courtesy of KC Nursing News
According to the American Cancer Society, screening exams for early breast cancer detection — before symptoms begin — are one of the best ways to fight the disease. Midwest Breast Care, a service of the hospitals of HCA Midwest Health System is marking the 28th anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by emphasizing the importance of early detection and encouraging women to register online for screening mammograms or visit one of eight
HCA Midwest hospitals for walk-in mammograms. HCA Midwest Health System is also a major supporter of the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising event scheduled to take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Kansas City’s Liberty Memorial. In addition to sponsorship, HCA Midwest Health System plans to support the walk by signing up 600 walkers who are motivated by personal and professional reasons to raise money to help in the cure and fight against breast cancer. HCA Midwest Health System has a fund-raising goal of $30,000 — money to help save potential lives, help people get and stay well, find a cure for breast cancer and fight back.
“We all visualize a world with more birthdays and less breast cancer,” says M.L. Lagarde, president of HCA Midwest Health System. “Our participation in and support of this important event signifies our hospital staff and physicians’ commitment to helping save lives.”
The care teams at Midwest Breast Care understand women’s busy lives and offer eight locations throughout the metro for routine screening mammograms. Locations include Belton Regional Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, Lafayette Regional Health Center, Lee’s Summit Medical Center, Menorah Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Research Medical Center and Research Medical Center Brookside Campus. Extended hours, Saturday appointments and walk-in screenings are available at several locations.
“Studies show early detection is the best protection when fighting breast cancer,” says Darryl Nelson, MD, chief medical officer of HCA Midwest Health System. “Our physicians know how vital screening mammograms are. We also know the decisions and choices during the time following a diagnosis are directed to one simple goal — achieving the best possible outcomes. People diagnosed with breast cancer in the Kansas City metro area have caring, progressive and innovative programs to make a cancer journey less complex and confusing.”
In addition to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, several HCA Midwest Health System hospitals will host events and special promotions throughout October:
October Breast Cancer Awareness Month Events
- Belton Regional Medical Center will host Mammograms & Massages for area school district employees in its Medical Imaging Department, which will include an annual mammogram, a massage, a free gift and a sweet dessert for each participant. Event dates and times: Belton School District: 4 – 8 p.m., Oct. 15; Grandview School District: 4 – 8 p.m., Oct. 16; Ray- Pec School District: 4 – 8 p.m., Oct. 17. Registration is required for Mammograms & Massages by calling Wellness Coordinators Kate Zeysing, (816) 892-1315 (Belton and RayPec School Districts); or Janet Melton, (816) 316-5019 (Grandview School District). The hospital will also offer Muffins & Mammograms with extended hours and Saturday appointments available for walk-in mammograms in the Medical Imaging Department. During October hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Wed. until 7 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Centerpoint Medical Center will host additional mammogram screening sessions 8 – 11:30 a.m. every Saturday in October. Screenings are also available Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. All participants must preregister by calling (816) 698-8112 or register online at CenterpointMedical.com. Every woman who gets a mammogram screening in October will receive a complimentary breast cancer awareness bag with her screening. On Saturday, Oct. 19th, Aruna Rokkam, MD, medical oncologist and Centerpoint Medical Center’s leading breast specialist, will be available for questions from 9 — 10 a.m. in the Breast Center at Centerpoint Medical Center. In addition, Centerpoint employees will take part in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk by raising funds throughout the month of October for cancer research. The hospital is going “pink” by initiating Project Pink Gloves. For the month of October, medical staff members will utilize pink exam gloves in patient and operating rooms. The gloves will show hospital-wide support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month to all who encounter medical services.