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News Releases
It's
Breast Health Awareness Month . . .  Houston, Texas, October 1, 2002 -- While
more and more women are winning the fight against breast
cancer, it remains the second leading cancer killer of women in
the United States. According to the American
Cancer Society, more than 180,000 American women were diagnosed
with invasive breast cancer in 2000, resulting in more than 40,000 deaths.
With the increased use of screening mammography, breast cancer is now
being detected earlier in its development, when it is more treatable.
Later this month,
Memorial Hermann Healthcare System will introduce Texas' first screening
mammography center in a retail setting--the Memorial Hermann Mammography
Center at Macy's in Galleria II. Featuring the newest Instrumentarium
equipment for screening mammography that makes the testing procedure
as comfortable as possible, the Center's tests will be performed by
skilled staff mammographers and read by dedicated breast radiologists
from Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital.
While the Center will be operational beginning Oct. 7, a grand opening
event and "pink" ribbon cutting will take place on National
Mammography Day - Fri., Oct. 18, at 10 a.m.
Major barriers to
women seeking annual mammograms are a common misconception that symptoms
must first present before getting screened, lack of knowledge and awareness
and lack of convenient access to mammography facilities. An inviting,
convenient mammography center in the atmosphere of a shopping mall addresses
many of these issues. With 80 percent of Macy's customers being women,
the center has the potential to screen countless shoppers, reaching
thousands of women every day. Both appointments and walk-ins are welcome,
and a discreet paging system allows for shopping while you wait.
Stephen
Rose, M.D., a board certified radiologist and medical director of
the Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Breast Care Center, reads
film results with a patient. |
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Also
opening in October is the new Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital
Breast Care Center. With more than 1,800 patients seen monthly,
the Breast Care Center is expanding into an 8,000-square-foot location
in the hospital's Pavilion and is equipped for screening and diagnostic
mammography, breast ultrasound, stereotactic biopsies, bone density
reading and consultation rooms. The Center features the same state-of-the-art
equipment as does the Macy's location, allowing for less invasive
techniques to sample malignant tumors and remove certain benign
lesions without surgery.
An open house Wed., Oct. 16, from 6
to 8:30 p.m. will introduce the expanded Breast Care Center. Celebrating Women: Breast Health Information Every Woman Should
Have is the theme. Representatives from the American Cancer
Society, The Susan
G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, CanCare and others will be
on hand to discuss support services. Also planned is a tour, free
osteoporosis screenings for the first 60 guests, a cooking demonstration
of cancer-fighting foods and a showcase of vendors with literature
on medications, procedures and tips. Lois Hjelmstad, a breast cancer
survivor and author of Fine Black Lines, will be at the event
to say a few words, as well as to give away 10 signed copies of
her book in a drawing. RSVP by calling 713-222-CARE (2273). |
To further recognize
that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Memorial Hermann will
participate in other initiatives. Community Shopping Day, hosted by
Macy's, is a daylong shopping event dedicated to raising money for five
local breast cancer programs, including Memorial Hermann. By
purchasing a ticket for $10, Macy's customers will both raise funds
for local breast cancer charities and enjoy valuable savings throughout
the store Wed., Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Macy's also will
present its first-ever Heart & Soul Awards to local individuals
who have demonstrated leadership and passion in the fight against breast
cancer. The event is Tues., Oct. 8, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a reception
preceding the awards ceremony. Admission to the ceremony requires the
purchase of a $10 Macy's Community Shopping Day ticket. Memorial Hermann
honorees are Stephen Rose, M.D., a board certified radiologist and medical
director of the Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Breast Care Center,
and Tess Morgan, a registered radiographer and registered mammographer
with Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital.
Finally, as a Silver
Sponsor, Memorial Hermann will participate in the 12th Annual Komen
Houston Race for the Cure®. All proceeds of the race go toward the
mission of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which is to
eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research,
education, screening and treatment. Starting at the south corner of
Post Oak Boulevard and Westheimer, race routes wind through Uptown Houston.
The event, which attracts more than 28,000 participants annually, takes
place Sat., Oct. 12, beginning at 6 a.m.
Guidelines set forth
by the American Cancer Society for screening mammography include annual
screenings and clinical breast exams for women age 40 and older, clinical
breast exams every three years for women age 20 to 39 and monthly breast
self-examination by women age 20 and older. By expanding its Women's
Health programs and with its participation in these initiatives throughout
October, Memorial Hermann seeks to educate women about the importance
of screening mammography.
For more information, contact Media Relations.
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