ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, members of team Ellsworth came together and participated in events focused on increasing awareness and prevention of the disease Oct. 5-7.
From spin and Zumba classes to a Pink Day parade and Breast Cancer Awareness 5K, participants were encouraged to support those affected, learn more about early detection, and celebrate those who overcame the disease.
“I felt [the 5K] was a good event to generate awareness for breast cancer,” said Airman 1st Class Roderick Williams, a bioenvironmental engineering technician assigned to the 28th Medical Operations Squadron. “It’s important to make it known that no one is exempt from breast cancer, even males.”
For some people, the month of October is not just one month out of the year to recognize and raise awareness of this disease: it’s a passion and dedication to help recognize its dangers all year long.
“In the past, [Ellsworth] has hosted Breast Cancer Awareness walks, but they were nothing compared to this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week events,” said Staff Sgt. Natasha Wohlwend, a diagnostic imaging craftsman assigned to the 28th Medical Group. “I volunteered to coordinate these events because I think it’s important to raise awareness and stand up for something you truly care about, and to me that’s breast cancer awareness.”
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States - other than skin cancer. During 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that South Dakota had the second highest rate of breast cancer incidences in the United States.
“It’s important to recognize and raise awareness to this disease,” Wohlwend said. “It affects more individuals than people might think. While it’s commonly thought of as a woman’s disease, men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer.”
Lastly, a “ladies night out” was hosted at Dakota Radiology in Rapid City as a way to encourage patients of the 28th MDG to get their mammogram screenings completed, educate and inform the 32 participants of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and steps that can be taken to prevent it, such as performing regular self-breast examinations.
“Self-breast exams are an important step in preventing breast cancer,” Wohlwend said. “Women are encouraged to self-check their breasts while they are in the shower by moving the pads of the fingers in a circular motion to feel for any unusual lump, mass or thickening under the skin.”
Wohlwend noted every one in eight women will develop breast cancer in the course of their lifetime.
“These patients I see aren’t just ‘patients’ to me,” she said. “They’re someone’s mother, daughter, sister, aunt or grandma. But to me personally, they are my friends. As a mammography technologist, I am the one that helps find the cancer in its early stages, and even when we find it too late. Every one of my patients that I have helped I’ve formed a connection with, and being able to be there for them is why I do what I do every single day.”
For more information on mammogram screenings or to make an appointment, contact the 28th MDG diagnostic imaging department at (605) 385-3444, or the 28th MDG appointment line at (605) 385-6700.