MHP Hosting Free Women’s Breast Health Night Oct. 28
Mahaska Health Partnership
MAHASKA COUNTY – Mahaska Health Partnership will host its 7th Annual Free Women’s Breast Health Night on Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa.
The Women’s Breast Health Night is a fun, educational evening, where women can gather to learn more about protecting themselves from a disease that will effect one in eight women this year. “We have seen great strides in breast cancer detection and treatment over the years,” MHP Director of Radiology Julie Hartke said.
“I believe this is due to better screening techniques but also a result of a more educated population. Events such as Women’s Breast Health Night are a wonderful opportunity for women of all ages to be informed so they can ask the right questions of their doctor to effectively monitor their ongoing health.”
According to Hartke, attendees will enjoy wonderful food, informative booths staffed by healthcare professionals and community resource advocates as well as fabulous door prizes. “The fun stuff gets people in the door but once they arrive; they will benefit from very valuable education.”
The program for this year’s event will feature a panel of four speakers including General Surgeon Dr. Paul Riggs, who surgically treats breast cancer through port placement and management, biopsies and lump or mastectomies. Family Practice and Obstetrics Physician Dr. Lisa Ruckman provides primary care for women, in addition to entire families, and will speak to regular health screenings and diagnosis techniques. Cancer Care and Infusion Center Nurse Sally Blake has been providing cancer treatment at MHP for 11 years. She has traveled the recovery journey with countless patients and can speak to the effects of treatment as well as various options offered at MHP. Finally, breast cancer survivor Martha Landers of What Cheer will participate in order to address questions about her treatment and breast cancer diagnosis as well as her remission and moving forward.
“We try to change our format each year to keep the program fresh. This year, a panel will field submitted questions that will be collected ahead of the event via facebook, our website and other sources,” Hartke explained.
“We always offer a question and answer opportunity at Women’s Breast Health Night but we understand that not everyone is comfortable asking in front of a crowd. Unanswered questions can lead to lack of treatment so we hope to address people’s curiosities through this format to contribute to overall health and well-being,” Hartke stressed.
All women are encouraged to attend this event. Women’s Breast Health Night is free, but you must pre-register in order to attend. To register for this free event, visit mahaskahealth.org or call 641.672.3369.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, look us up on the web: mahaskahealth.org.
