This October, North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (NARMC) is proud to participate in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer in women after skin cancer.
“As a survivor, Breast Cancer Awareness month truly is about awareness,” NARMC team member and breast cancer survivor, Tammy King said. “It also should remind women to be aware of their bodies, do self-checks and call your doctor if you feel anything out of the ordinary. Also, know that you have the right to ask your doctor if you can have a yearly mammogram. Breast cancer doesn’t have to be a statistic or a stigma – it’s just a valley on the way to the mountain.”
About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point. The good news is that most women can survive breast cancer if it is found and treated early.
That’s why regular check-ups and screenings are so important. NARMC’s Imaging Services Department provides flexible times for women to fit their mammograms into their busy schedules. Imaging technicians are available to perform scheduled mammograms between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays. On average, the Imaging team performs 400 mammograms each month. In 2017, they provided more than 4,900 mammograms to local women.
NARMC is also partnering with the North Arkansas Partnership for Health Education (NAPHE) and the Ozark Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation this year to host a breast cancer screening clinic on October 26. This community outreach is designed to provide general breast health information to individuals within our community as well as offers an opportunity for those who make an appointment to discuss breast health and the importance of mammograms with a healthcare provider. Dr. Elizabeth Morgan and Nurse Practitioners Stephanie Mallet and Rana Burnside will be conducting free physical breast exams at the Women’s Health and Family Center on North Pine Street. This is not a mammogram, but participants may qualify for a free mammogram if needed through the Breast Care program administered by the Arkansas Department of Health or the Susan G. Komen Foundation Ozark Affiliate. For an appointment, call 870-743-2472.
Talk to a doctor about your risk for breast cancer, especially if a close family member of yours had breast or ovarian cancer. Your doctor can help you decide when and how often to get mammograms.
Patients diagnosed with breast or other cancers can depend on NARMC’s Claude Parrish Cancer Center for personalized treatment from a dedicated and caring team. The Cancer Center provides both radiation and chemotherapy treatments, as well as support groups.