October has been recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The pink ribbon was chosen to symbolize health, vitality and the empowerment of women. In honor of this month, the Greene County Health System is partnering with Shelton State Community College to have their third annual Ladies Day Out called Mammos & ManiCURES on Tuesday, October 17, 2017. The event will be held at the GCHS Physician’s Clinic and will last from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Manicures will be given from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Anyone interested in receiving a free manicure and has not had a mammogram in at least one year, must get their mammogram or be seen as a patient at the GCH Physician’s Clinic on October 17th. All women are encouraged to call (205)372-5077 to schedule their appointment. Refreshments will be provided.
If you have low income or no insurance call GCHS because you may apply for a free mammogram through the Alabama Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
This is GCHS’s third annual Ladies Day Out and hopefully the event will be just as successful as last year’s, helping the ladies of the Black Belt Region by promoting breast cancer awareness.
One in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer within their lifetime. According to the American Cancer Society, Black women are more likely than other racial/ethnic groups to be diagnosed at later stages and have the lowest survival at each stage of diagnosis. In women under 45, breast cancer is more common in African-American women than white women. Overall, African-American women are more likely to die of breast cancer.
Mammograms are the best way to check for breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Women over 40 are encouraged to obtain mammograms yearly. A mammogram is a photograph of the breasts made by x-rays. The procedure usually takes place in a clinic setting in under ten minutes and then the patient will receive a copy of their report in the mail.