KAWARTHA LAKES-October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we wanted to provide some warning signs of breast cancer. Keep in mind that these symptoms can happen with other conditions that are not cancer. A new lump in the breast or underarm (armpit), thickening or swelling of part of the breast, irritation or dimpling of breast skin, redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast, pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area, nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood, any change in the size or the shape of the breast and pain in any area of the breast are all warning signs and should be checked out.
The Dragon Flies’ Breast Cancer Survivor Group, Diva Night event on October 12 showed that their passion and effort is making a difference. The sold-out event at the Victoria Park Armoury featured guest speaker Dianne Robia, Breast Health Navigator at Ross Memorial Hospital, whose presentation included the signs to watch for and the many modalities that assist in the diagnosis of breast cancer.
Robia recognized the incredible work of the Dragon Flies and their impact on breast health care at the Ross, resulting in a standing ovation from the audience.
The Dragon Flies commitment to patient care will continue to touch lives throughout Kawartha Lakes and beyond. The Dragon Flies’ president Jo-Anne Forson and founding members Barb Bain and Dr. Gail Payne presented donations of $10,000 to the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation, Lakeridge Health Oshawa Foundation and Port Perry Hospital Foundation.
“Through their efforts, the Dragon Flies have helped the Hospital to acquire the best diagnostic technology and to become an Accredited Breast Assessment Centre with a High Risk Breast Screening program, affiliated with Cancer Care Ontario,” said Erin Coons, RMH Foundation CEO. “It wouldn’t have been possible without your support.”
With this gift, the Dragon Flies’ cumulative donations to the RMH Foundation total $420,300 and have helped to fund evolving diagnostic imaging technology including the community’s new MRI, 3D digital mammography, a sentinel node machine, a mammoviewer, breast imaging software and biopsy console, and an ultrasound machine.
Founding member Nancy Hanna describes their group as women paddling in same direction to meet a collective goal: to create a sisterhood of support for those who have received a breast cancer diagnosis and to raise awareness and funds to give patients their best chance to beat breast cancer.
