Raising awareness for breast cancer at the 6th Annual Pinked Out Party

Breast cancer survivors and supporters came out primed in pink to the St Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth to celebrate the 6^th Annual Pinked Out Party, hosted by the Anika Foundation.

“It’s a breast cancer awareness event that we started in Minneapolis and St. Paul. But we really wanted to bring this message of early detection and how important it is to get screened for mammograms,” said president and CEO of the Anika Foundation, Anika Robbins.

Closing out breast cancer awareness month, the event proves that the war against breast cancer is never-ending.

“We’re here to encourage women to get screened, get their mammograms annually. Breast cancer is showing up in women younger these days. And so early detection is, like you say, it saves lives. So, it’s very important,” said Robbins.

One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lives, promoting early and regular screening reduces the chance of finding cancer in larger masses. The smaller the mass, the higher chance treatment will be successful.

“When you screen, the chance of your breast cancer being smaller is higher. So, you’re going to detect cancers smaller the more you screen. So, what’s recommended by the American College of Radiology is screening mammograms. Starting at the age of 40 and screening until 75 every year,” said Dr. Jill Holsinger, radiologist at Essentia Health.

Living with breast cancer is a battle that doesn’t need to be fought alone, and soldiers in pink are ready to help those in need.

“Breast cancer is a disease that is very multi-dimensional in equal opportunity disease. And we always want people to know, no matter what phase and stage you are. It helps to talk with people who have been through it. So, they don’t feel as if they’re battling this disease all by themselves,” said Reana Berry, founder of the African American Breast Cancer Alliance.

Sage helps low-income Minnesotans or those who do not have adequate insurance to access breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic services (if screening tests are abnormal) and referral to treatment services. –MN Dept. of Health