Press Release courtesy of the Southwest Georgia Public Health District
Southwest Health District Health Director Dr. Charles Ruis will be the keynote speaker at a “pink luncheon/lecture” focusing on breast cancer awareness set for Oct. 12 from 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. at Albany Technical College’s Kirkland Building.
Dr. Ruis will be joined by special guest speakers, breast cancer survivors Mrs. Leslie Charles and Mrs. Cynthia Oliver.
The free event is sponsored by the Dougherty County Health Department, Albany Technical College, Southwest Health District, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.- Delta Eta Omega Chapter, Albany and Albany (GA) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Individuals interested in attending should call the Dougherty County Health Department at 229-638-6424 option 4 (Women’s Health) to reserve a spot.
“Breast cancer awareness is all about early detection,” said Dougherty County Health Department Director Vamella Lovett. “When it is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the prognosis is excellent.”
Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms, she said.
“Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women,” Lovett said. “All women are at risk for it.”
Symptoms include a new lump in the breast; a lump that has changed in the breast; a change in the size or shape of the breast; pain in the breast or nipple that does not go away; flaky, red or swollen skin anywhere on the breast; a nipple that is very ender or that turns inward; blood or any other type of fluid coming from the nipple that is not milk when nursing a baby.
However, when breast cancer starts out, it is too small to feel, and does not cause signs and symptoms, Lovett stressed. “That’s why routine screenings are so important,” she said.
For more information about breast cancer, go to https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/index.htm.
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