An effort to “Paint LoCo Pink” is spreading around the county in the second year of public displays and other efforts to offer hope and fundraising in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Thursday evening, nearly 200 people came together for special events taking place at the Logan County Courthouse fountain in downtown Bellefontaine and at the town hall in West Liberty to begin a month-long light up in pink for those downtown areas.
Various businesses around Logan County also are offering special fundraisers throughout October to benefit the Logan County Cancer Society.
City resident and breast cancer survivor Roni Lile to began the “pink out” efforts last year, to light up downtown Bellefontaine, and has been “pounding the pavement” to fight for others who are encountering this breast cancer foe.
“It’s been exciting to see the event spread this year, with lighting up West Liberty, and we’re excited to see it grow to other areas in the county in the years to come,” said Lile, who previously was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2019 and underwent a double mastectomy in October that year.
“It’s important to gather here with our families, friends and neighbors and offer this symbol of hope.”
Proclamations were made by Logan County Commissioner Joe Antram, Bellefontaine Mayor Ben Stahler and West Liberty Mayor Jill McKelvey deeming the month of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Logan County and their respective communities and to honor individuals touched by breast cancer.
“We came together not to just Paint Logan County Pink as a community education for breast cancer awareness and prevention efforts, but most importantly, we came together to honor and recognize the evening’s participants and community members that are breast cancer survivors and currently in their breast cancer journey,” said Tammy Allison, COO of the Logan County Cancer Society.
“We want them to know that the community is here to support them and provide assistance so that they may focus on their personal well-being and healing.”
Pre-registered survivors at the Thursday events were treated to special T-shirts, along with swag bags supported by local businesses.
Lakeview resident Jessica Conover has braved a battle with breast cancer this year, undergoing a double mastectomy surgery and a tissue expansion surgery all in one procedure during March at the OSU Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.
“One surgeon came in for the first part of the procedure, and then the second surgeon came in for the second part; it was a big undertaking, but nice to get it all done at once,” the 41-year-old said, noting that her cancer was only in stage 0 when it was found via mammogram earlier this year.
Conover related that several years ago, she had BRCA genetic testing performed, and it showed that she had an 87 percent chance of having breast cancer in her lifetime, so that prompted her doctor to consider the double mastectomy surgery.
Breast cancer can affect women of any age, the Logan County Cancer Society notes. It is more common in post-menopausal women, but about 25 percent of women diagnosed are younger than 50.
In the U.S., breast cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in women. Approximately 330,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. One in eight women will be affected by breast cancer.
These alarming statistics are also true for Logan County, Allison said. During the community’s most recent Needs Assessment administered in late 2020, breast cancer was identified as one of the leading types of cancer diagnosis for residents of Logan County, second only to skin cancer.
If breast cancer is found early, there are more treatment options and better chance for survival.
Kelly Armstrong, Mary Rutan Hospital registered mammographer and certified breast patient navigator emphasized, “to detect breast cancer at its earliest stages I recommend that all women have a clinical breast exam by a health care provider annually.”
In addition, women should know what is normal for their breast, looking and feeling for any changes. Any changes should be reported to your health care provider right away. In addition, all women age 40 and over should get an annual mammogram.
A mammogram can find breast cancer before it can be felt. Research has shown that women who skip a yearly mammogram may miss the opportunity for an early breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
When breast cancer is found at an early stage, women have a 93 percent or higher survival rate in the first five years. The goal of yearly screening mammograms is to identify breast abnormalities as early as possible.
To schedule your mammogram, call Mary Rutan Crawfis Imaging Center at (937) 592-1883. A physician’s order is not needed to schedule a screening mammogram for women over 40.
For women who are uninsured or with high deductibles and meet financial guidelines, assistance is available through the Ohio Department of Health Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP). Mary Rutan Crawfis Imaging Center is a participating provide in the BCCP program.
All women ages 21 and up are eligible for BCCP patient Navigation Services. Financial assistance is available for mammograms, pelvic exams, pap test, clinical breast exams, diagnostic services related to breast and cervical issues.
Eligibility household income less than 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
For additional information contact the Central Ohio BCCP staff at (866) 418-4963 or visit their website at https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/breast-cervical-cancer-project