By Brianna McAdoo, Special to the AFRO
Approximately 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer during their lifetime according to breastcancer.org. In honor of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month the Doctors Community Hospital celebrated their 4th annual Pink Ribbon Rally, this past Monday, Oct. 15.
Doctors Community Health System is a network of health service providers offered in the Prince George’s County and Anne Arundel County communities. The healthcare professionals they employ specialize in an array of areas, ranging from Breast Health to Digestive Disease Care.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and for the fourth year in a row, Doctors Community Hospital has brought information to the community pertaining to the illness.
The Doctor’s Community Hospital located in Lanham, Md. is the Doctors Community Health System’s chief facility.
Local grocery store, Wegmans-Woodmore Towne Center and the Prince George’s County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority were this years’ partners. Additionally, over a dozen community organizations committed to raising breast health awareness were in attendance, lending their support.
The Doctors Community Hospital Director of the Center for Comprehensive Breast Care, Terrie Trimmer expressed her enthusiasm about the success of the Pink Ribbon Rally.
“The community really came out and supported this event,” Trimmer said. “We distributed more than 400 breast cancer awareness tote bags, performed 47 clinical breast exams and provided 50 mammogram screenings.”
Bringing such awareness programming and testing to the community proved very beneficial.
“About eight of the screened women had never had a mammogram before.”
It is recommended that women perform breast exams at least once a month. For women over 40 it is recommended to get a mammogram and clinical breast exam annually.
To schedule an annual mammogram screening with Doctors Community Hospital, request a free breast health brochure or contact the Center for Comprehensive Breast Care at 301-552-8524.