Hospital staff, local leaders, join breast cancer patients and survivors to raise awareness
October 15, 2021 – Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a ceremony at its Breast and Women’s Center that honored those lost to the disease, celebrated the courage of breast cancer survivors, and expressed support for those currently battling the disease.
“On behalf of everyone at Richmond University Medical Center, I would like to offer our thoughts to everyone who ever has lost a loved one to breast cancer,” RUMC President and Chief Executive Officer, Daniel J. Messina, PhD, FACHE, said. “I would also like to extend our continuing admiration and support to breast cancer survivors and everyone currently being treated for the disease. Your courage and determination is truly awe-inspiring.”
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 281,500 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in 2021 and about 43,600 women will die from the disease. Breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women, except for skin cancers. Currently, there is a 1 in 8 chance that a woman will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime.
The ceremony included a moment of silence for those lost to breast cancer and brief remarks from members of the medical staff, local dignitaries and breast cancer survivors. Among those in attendance were New York State Assembly Member Michael Tannousis, Staten Island Deputy Borough President Ed Burke, and Dr. Ginny Mantello, Director of Health and Wellness for Staten Island Borough President James Oddo. Both Tannousis and Burke thanked RUMC for providing a dedicated breast center to protect the health and well-being of the community. They also used the ceremony as an opportunity to encourage women to perform breast self-exams and to schedule annual mammograms even if they are not at high risk for breast cancer. Following the ceremony, a brief meditative stretching and breathing session was held to help promote good health for everyone. The session was provided by Heal and Prosper Holistic Wellness, locate at 1000 South Avenue.
This October also marks the third anniversary of RUMC’s Breast and Women’s Center, which opened in 2018. The center is home to board certified specialists and an experienced medical staff who provide digital breast imaging, 3D mammograms, biopsies, ultrasounds, and personalized breast cancer treatment for women and men of all ages. The Center, located at 1161 Victory Blvd., is also quadruple certified by the American College of Radiology for consistently providing the highest quality patient care in the fields of mammography, breast ultrasound, stereotactic biopsy and ultrasound guided biopsy services. Appointments at the center can be made by calling 718-818-1161.
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Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), is a not-for-profit healthcare provider serving the ethnically diverse community of Staten Island and its neighbors. We provide premier-quality patient care through a full spectrum of emergent, acute, primary, behavioral health and educational services. We do this in an environment that promotes the highest satisfaction among patients, families, physicians and staff. For more information call 1-718-818-1234 or visit www.rumcsi.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
