During the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people found themselves confined to their homes and nervous about venturing into the public. This pandemic brought to light something significant: the importance of maintaining good health. This new focus on health has extended beyond COVID and into other areas of wellness, including screenings for breast cancer.
“The volume of screenings has increased tremendously since the onset of COVID,” said Community Healthcare System Breast Radiologist Janushi Dalal, MD. A lot more women want to come in and get screened because COVID has raised awareness about health in general. In the months after the vaccine first became available, many people got (their shots) and started feeling comfortable coming in for their screening exam. The uptick, February until now, has been non-stop, which is great.”
With the increase in the number of women and men getting screened for breast cancer, Dalal and other health professionals at Community Healthcare System felt it was important to not only provide those screenings, but also educate the public further about the disease.
On Wednesday, September 22, Dalal presented on breast cancer at a Community Healthcare System Lunch & Learn at St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago. Attendance was scaled back to follow COVID safety guidelines. An appropriately-sized gathering of community members and healthcare staff stopped in to learn more about breast cancer and new technologies to detect and diagnose breast cancer. The event also was broadcast via livestream to a watch party at the Portage Township YMCA.
“Dr. Dalal’s presentation helps people understand why mammograms are important and learn more about how we perform them,” said mammography technician Tammy Hughes. “These informal talks let people feel more comfortable about the screening process. They get to meet our radiology team, as well.This event is important so you can learn why we do it. That education makes people more willing to come and get their screening done; that’s why they’re getting it done.”
“It’s good getting Dr. Dalal out there and letting everybody know who they’re working with and being more comfortable with the team they are working with as well,” Hughes said.
Hughes and Women’s Diagnostic Center Interventional Radiology team lead Guadalupe Arellano were recognized by Dalal for their hard work in fighting breast cancer and for the positive relationships they have formed with patients at St. Catherine Hospital. Arellano attributes this credit back to her co-workers.
“It’s a team approach,” Arellano said. “The doctors consult with our cancer care team on mammography screening results and, if cancer is detected, work together to form the best personalized treatmentplan for the patient. Tammy introduces herself to the patients when they come in for their mammogram. If they need any further imaging, we will coordinate either an ultrasound or a diagnostic mammogram. If the patient needs a biopsy, then they are referred to me. I guide them, hold their hand and get the order to get the biopsy done. I am in the room assisting the doctor during the biopsy for added patient support."
During her presentation, Dalal reminded everyone that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and suggested that it’s a great time to schedule a screening. To help, Community Healthcare System is offering a $98 screening special at St. Catherine Hospital, Community Hospital in Munster and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. To schedule an appointment, call: 866-836-3477.
Women should get a yearly mammogram after the age of 40, if their family does not have a history of cancer, Dalal said. While 85 percent of breast cancers are not hereditary, those who have family members who were diagnosed with cancer at a young age may want to get yearly screenings starting as early as age 30.
One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States, but breast cancer is not limited to women. Men can also develop breast cancer, though only one in 1,000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.
Considering the statistics, Dalal explained the importance of regular screenings, saying that those who do a yearly exam rather than sporadic exams have a much higher detection rate in the early stages of breast cancer. If patients do not normally get screened and wait to visit a medical professional until something feels wrong, the cancer may be further along. If a radiologist can ‘see it before you can feel it’, the cancer is more treatable.
At the conclusion of her presentation, Dalal responded to questions from both the live audience at St. Catherine Hospital and those watching from the Portage YMCA.
Aside from doing monthly breast self-exams, scheduling regular clinical breast exams, getting mammograms and supporting those you know who are going through breast cancer are the best ways to combat the disease. Another way is to purchase an Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness specialty license plate, Dalal explained. The purchase of one of these license plates, in turn, donates $25 to address breast cancer screening needs in Indiana.
To learn more about Community Healthcare System, its educational events and the mammogram special, visit https://www.COMHS.org/.