October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and here on the North Coast local organizations are coming together to recognize and acknowledge men and women whose lives have been affected breast cancer.
On Thursday, October 6, at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, caregivers from the cancer program, alongside hospital leadership, presented pink ribbons – a symbol of breast health awareness – to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The pinning ceremony was an effort to continue the focus of education and preventative screenings for breast cancer and to celebrate and encourage survivors to share their stories. The sheriff’s office plans to have deputies wear the ribbons throughout the month of October.
“The primary goal of Breast Cancer Awareness month is to educate women about breast cancer and early detection screening so that they can take charge of their breast health,” said Priscilla Lynn, area director of the St. Joseph Hospital Eureka Cancer Program.
The American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines for early detection of breast cancer:
• Women ages 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms (x-rays of the breast) if they wish to do so.
• Women age 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
• Women 55 and older should switch to mammograms every 2 years or can continue yearly screening.
• Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer.
• All women should be familiar with the known benefits, limitations, and potential harms linked to breast cancer screening.
The ribbon ceremony presentation featured speakers from the St. Joseph Hospital Eureka Cancer Program, including Dr. Ellen Mahoney, the program's medical director. Darian Harris, chief executive at St. Joseph Hospital, thanked the Sheriff's office for their continued collaboration to promote health and well-being in the community.
"We're honored to partner with Sheriff's office to focus on the lives of those impacted by breast cancer and to help share how important it is to take preventive measures to ensure breast health, like annual mammograms and other breast screenings. We're fortunate in Humboldt County to have an amazing cancer program at St. Joseph Hospital. We have the resources, technology and care team to support the community when needed."
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