Waupun Memorial Hospital (WMH) Auxiliary members took time as part of their annual recognition luncheon to learn more about the efforts underway at the hospital to help women who are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Auxiliary members gathered for their annual meeting, and welcomed Patti Domask, RN, WMH's breast health coordinator. December marks the first anniversary since WMH began offering the services of a breast health coordinator. As part of her presentation, Domask shared what a breast health coordinator does, as well as breast cancer myths and facts.
"As a breast health coordinator, my role is to build a trusting relationship with patients, and to help educate, support and assess patients, ensuring that our patients receive the best care," Domask says. "It is a privilege to walk with someone with a breast cancer diagnosis and be there throughout her journey.
"Breast cancer treatment involves several healthcare providers, which, at times, can become confusing for patients," Domask shares. "A breast health coordinator, or navigator, serves as a consistent presence through the entire course of care. This means that a woman from the very beginning - from the point of an abnormal mammogram - will have someone available to her throughout the entire course of treatment and into survivorship."
WMH patients benefit from this free service.
Domask shared common myths and facts about breast cancer. They include:
Myth: I don't have any breast lumps, so I don't need a mammogram. Breast cancer does not always come in the form of a lump.
Fact: All women are at risk for breast cancer. Despite known risk factors, anyone can get breast cancer.
Myth: Being called back for more testing after my mammogram must mean that I have cancer. Less than 10 percent of women who are called back for more tests are found to have breast cancer.
Fact: There are many lines of defense against breast cancer: maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, limit alcohol intake, limit postmenopausal hormone use and screenings - women 20 & older, perform breast self-examinations every month; women 30 to 39, have a clinical breast exam every year; women 40 & older, have a mammogram and clinical breast exam every year.
Myth: Breast size determines your breast cancer risk. There is no connection between breast size and risk of breast cancer.
Fact: Roughly one in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Early detection saves lives!