Atrium Health Navicent hosts events for Breast Cancer Awareness Month across Middle Georgia

Atrium Health Navicent is offering mammograms, support groups and survivor events to encourage early detection and community awareness this October.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – October marks National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Atrium Health Navicent is taking steps to support those affected and raise awareness about the disease by hosting a series of events throughout the month.

On Thursday, Atrium Health Navicent held its annual Mammography Marathon, an event where both scheduled patients and walk-ins could receive 3D mammograms at any Atrium Health Navicent mammography location. The initiative aims to encourage more women to get screened. 

According to a report from the American Cancer Society released last year, one in every eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, and one in 43 will die from the disease. Despite these sobering statistics, advances in treatment and early screening have greatly improved survival rates.

“Breast cancer is no longer a death sentence if it’s caught early,” said Latasha Hill, the Breast Imaging Manager at Atrium Health Navicent.

She advises women to get their annual screenings and encourages those under the recommended age to perform monthly self-exams.

“Every woman at age 40 should start having a mammogram annually, and then those women between age 35 and 39 should also talk to their physician, because we’re seeing a lot of younger women diagnosed so that they can have a baseline mammogram between the age of 35 and 39,” she said.

Hill added making healthy lifestyle changes can help with prevention– such as avoiding alcohol and smoking – plus maintaining a healthy weight.

She said monthly self-examinations are important and urged women to look out for signs such as lumps, dimpling, indentations or discharge. Women should contact their physician if anything is found.

According to Hill, more women are taking proactive steps toward getting screened, which has led to improved survival rates. 

During Thursday’s event, more than 200 patients came in for mammograms.

For those who missed the Mammography Marathon, Atrium Health Navicent’s mobile mammogram unit remains available, and the next public event is scheduled for Saturday at Macedonia Church.

Here’s a look at events through the rest of the month:

• Glow and Grace Survivor Event on October 12: This event honors and celebrates breast cancer survivors. It takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at South Bibb Recreation Complex, 7035 Houston Road, Macon.

• Lunch & Learn on Oct. 15: A special Lunch & Learn session just for breast cancer survivors is being held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Atrium Health Navicent Peyton Anderson Cancer Center, 800 First St., Macon.

• Pink Alliance Monthly Support Group Meeting on Oct. 24: Saddle up, grab your hat and put your boots on to “Give Breast Cancer A Kick” during this monthly support group. A health fair and luncheon are being hosted in conjunction with October’s meeting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Bibb Recreation Center, 7035 Houston Road in Macon. The Pink Alliance is a safe space for breast cancer patients and survivors to share feelings and concerns, and receive emotional support through small group discussion. Other months, the group meets at noon on the third Thursday of each month at Atrium Health Navicent Peyton Anderson Cancer Center.

Breast cancer screenings are also available by visiting Atrium Health Navicent’s mobile mammography coach as it travels throughout Middle Georgia:
• Oct. 11 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Macedonia Church, 600 Eisenhower Pkwy., Macon
• Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bibb Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 3268 Avondale Mill Road, Macon
• Oct. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Atrium Health Navicent Primary Care Fort Valley, 201 Avera Drive, Fort Valley
• Oct. 15 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hartley Elementary School, 2230 Anthony Road, Macon
• Oct. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at At Home Senior Living of Cochran, 147 S. Sixth St. SE, Cochran
• Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Central State Hospital administration building, 171 Allen Road, Milledgeville
• Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at House of Hope Macon, 1909 Woodland Drive, Macon
• Oct. 20 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at City of Tennille building, 106 Park Street, Tennille
• Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Houston County Health Department, 98 Cohen Walker Drive, Warner
Robins
• Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon at 91 Telfair Ave, McRae
• Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Atrium Health Navicent Primary Care Internal Medicine Baldwin, 2803 N.
Columbia St., Milledgeville
• Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 809 S. Davis Drive, Warner Robins