Photo By Jason Bortz | Deborah Vanloh, a mammogram technologist at Naval Hospital Pensacola, prepares a...... read more read more
NAVAL HOSPITAL PENSACOLA, Fla. - About one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer, according to www.breastcancer.org.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and Naval Hospital Pensacola is taking the opportunity to educate beneficiaries about the dangers of breast cancer and the importance of getting checked.
In 2015, approximately 230,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 40,000 will die from it. Approximately 2,300 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer (www.breastcancer.org).
“The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and getting older” said Michelle Wilkes, breast health specialist, NHP. “The best defense against breast cancer is early detection with a breast self-exam, clinical breast exam and a mammography.”
A mammogram can often detect breast cancer long before it can be felt and usually years before physical symptoms appear. If detected early, breast cancer treatment can be less invasive and more successful.
While October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important that women, and men, regularly check for lumps or abnormalities around their breasts. If something doesn’t look or feel right, contact your physician as soon as possible.
“Treatment is more successful and better tolerated the sooner it is started,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jada Leahy, a general surgeon at NHP. “You know your body best; if you find something that doesn’t look or feel right, contact your physician and get it checked out.”
If a beneficiary is diagnosed with breast cancer, NHP has a certified breast patient navigator available to assist with the treatment and recovery process. Wilkes, who was the first breast cancer navigator in Pensacola, will ensure beneficiaries receive everything they need, both physical and emotionally.
“Fighting breast cancer is not just a physical battle, but an emotional one as well,” said Wilkes. “I am here, along with the staff at NHP, to help those diagnosed with breast cancer through a very stressful event in their lives.”
To help promote breast cancer awareness, the hospital will be participating in the Moral, Welfare and Recreation 5K/Walk on Oct. 16 aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. The annual event helps raise awareness about breast cancer and representatives from the hospital will be present to educate everyone present on the dangers of breast cancer and the importance of knowing how to perform a self-exam. There will be educational materials, self-exam cards and interactive displays to demonstrate what a lump would feel like.
“I encourage all women to take charge of their health care and receive these lifesaving exams,” said Wilkes. “Do it for yourself and for the ones you love. Put your breasts to the test and let's give [breast] cancer the shove.”
Additionally, the hospital will be posting facts and information about breast cancer on its Facebook page throughout the month of October. To follow the hospital’s page, search Naval Hospital Pensacola.
The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms for women over the age of 40. Beneficiaries enrolled at NHP can call their Medical Home Port Team through Central Appointments at 850-505-7170 to schedule a mammogram.
| Date Taken: | 10.05.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.05.2015 12:59 |
| Story ID: | 178136 |
| Location: | NAVAL HOSPITAL PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 148 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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