Published: Nov. 3, 2014
Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital’s Breast Care Center is pleased to now offer a Breast Cancer Risk Assessment class to help women and men understand their risks for breast cancer. Classes begin Tuesday, Nov. 4, and will be held twice a month at AL!VE, HGB’s destination health park.
The class is ideal for those who already know they have a high risk for breast cancer, have a family history of breast cancer or have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Get questions answered about breast health, genetics, breast cancer screenings, self breast examination and diagnostic testing. The hour-long class is broken into five sections:
- Methods to determine breast cancer risks
- Frequently asked questions on genetic testing
- Available screening and diagnostic services
- Breast biopsy procedures, including preparing for a procedure.
- Audience question and answer session
“After working with patients in JOURNEY (the women’s health center at AL!VE), I realized these women want to know their risk,” said Maureen Hillary, HGB’s chief nursing officer. “A recent national study stated only 10 percent of women know their risk for breast cancer. This study is the underlying inspiration for this program. We need to help women and men better understand their risk of getting breast cancer and help manage that risk.”
At the end of the program, participants will be given information on genetic testing with a referral back to a family physician or HGB’s Breast Care Center.
Genetic testing can be a life-changing event, and should be considered thoughtfully with the people who you care most about, Hillary said. Patients can trust there will be a trusted physician on the receiving end of their test results to help counsel and guide them through next steps.
“It is important to know that no matter a patient’s situation, there are many options to weigh and consider once he or she understands their breast cancer risks,” Hillary said.
The class is offered at 6 p.m., the first Tuesday and at 1 p.m., the third Thursday every month beginning in November. The current schedule is:
- 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4
- 1 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20
- 6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 2
- 1 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 18
Class pre-registration is required. Call 517.543.9575 to sign up for the time and date most convenient for your schedule.
HGB has been the community’s choice for health care for more than 80 years. The hospital is committed to working together in health to provide quality care and enhance the vitality of the community. It has expanded its vision beyond providing traditional hospital services to one that promotes health and well-being through AL!VE. Learn more about HGB at www.hgbhealth.com and AL!VE at www.myalive.com.
Sparrow Health System and Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital have committed to jointly develop operational, clinical and programmatic services. Our goal with this non-ownership, formal affiliation is to improve quality of care by fostering closer cooperation and achieving greater clinical integration.