National Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings about several activities at Banner Lassen Medical Center allowing employees to celebrate and honor women while shedding light on the importance of breast health.
Banner Lassen Medical Center is one of the few hospitals in northeastern California to offer 3D tomosynthesis mammography.
Digital breast tomosynthesis is a fairly new technology that finds smaller cancers and up to 60 percent more invasive cancers than conventional digital mammography. It also reduces the number of instances that women are asked to come back for a follow-up mammogram by up to 40 percent.
Patients who have a mammogram at Banner Lassen during the month of October will receive a free goodie bag and be entered into a raffle drawing for a larger gift basket.
In addition, patients that come in on Tuesday October 10th, Thursday October 19th, and Thursday October 26th, from 8:30a.m. to 3:00p.m. are welcome to participate in the Walk the Runway with us.
The hospital staff will be serving refreshments while the women get a chance to show off their ‘Pink Flair’ and recognize those who motivate them to get a mammogram. Blue Shutter Photography from Susanville will do a photo shoot with participants in the Pioneer Room at the hospital during these times.
At the end of the month, Banner Lassen leaders will judge contestants to find the best ‘Pink Flair’. Participants who give consent will have their photos posted on the wall of fame at the hospital to share with other visitors. They will also will receive a free copy of their photo by mail in November.
To schedule a mammogram, please call (530) 252-2065.
As an added bonus, this year we are bringing back chair massages to help you ease your stress away.
The American Cancer Society recommends that women lead a healthy lifestyle by eating a nutritious diet and get regular exercise and limiting alcohol intake. In addition, women should have regular breast cancer screenings to find cancers early. The screening guidelines vary depending on a woman’s age and family history.
Women with no personal risk or family history of breast cancer would be considered at average risk. The American Cancer Society suggests that women ages 40 to 44 be given the choice to begin annual screening with mammograms. Annual mammograms should begin for women age 45 to 54, and women 55 and older should have a mammogram at least every two years.
