Snellville, Ga. (Oct. 28, 2024) – Piedmont Eastside Medical Center recently held its first Rock the Ribbon breast cancer awareness event for the community and it proved a success. Nearly 200 people, ranging from breast cancer survivors, family and friends of survivors, local business partners, and local leaders were in attendance.
This event, which will be held annually, was a chance for the community to get together and discuss how women and men can be stewards of their health by knowing what preventative care options they have regarding breast cancer. There was dialogue with Eastside’s diagnostic radiologist, Michael Aho, M.D., and breast surgeon, Hisa Yamaguchi, M.D., about the importance of early screening, conducting self-evaluations, and removing the fear/stigma of mammograms.
A special guest, Snellville Mayor Barbara Bender, made opening remarks by talking about why breast and diagnostic centers like Eastside are needed.
“Breast cancer is something where, almost everyone has been touched by it. Whether it’s you, your family member, or a friend,” said Mayor Bender. “Bringing awareness and reminding everyone, especially young women who are younger than 40 and 30, we think we’re invincible. But, we need to be diligent and make sure we get checked when we find something that doesn’t seem right,”.
The American College of Radiology (ACR) guidelines recommend a baseline mammogram at the age of 40 and a yearly screening afterwards for women of average risk.
Full ACR mammogram recommended guidelines to keep in mind for women of varying risk levels:
• Begin annually at age 40* for average risk patients.
• Begin annually at age 30 for high-risk patients (those who have a greater than 20% lifetime risk).
• Intermediate risk (15-20% lifetime risk) patients can also begin screening at age 30.
*A written doctor’s order will be required for patients under 40 to schedule a screening mammogram.
She gave credit to Piedmont Eastside and even disclosed she is a patient and gets seen, herself, at Eastside’s Breast and Diagnostic Center.
At the event, giveaway prizes were awarded and the famous, ‘Pink Truck’, ran by 10-year lymphoma survivor and Gwinnett County and Fire Emergency Services Firefighter, Michael Sayles, was on-site as well. Sayles drives the truck around Gwinnett County, to cancer patients and survivors, to offer hope and a chance to sign the truck.
If you need to schedule your next mammogram, visit piedmontmammo.org.
Publisher Notes:
Source: Press Release – Piedmont Eastside
