Fashion shows and fun help women open up about breast cancer

MaryEllen Locher Breast Center outreach coordinator Angela Posey, volunteer Gina Bryan and outreach assistant Debbie Keith, from left, model the new Hats Off to Breast Health hats made by Bryan. (Contributed photo)
MaryEllen Locher Breast Center outreach coordinator Angela Posey, volunteer Gina Bryan and outreach assistant Debbie Keith, from left, model the new Hats Off to Breast Health hats made by Bryan. (Contributed photo)

The MaryEllen Locher Breast Center's Hats Off to Breast Health program is using extravagant hats with engaging names to open up dialogue with women about breast health. Names like "Busy Bessie" and "Shy Shirley" represent different reasons why women put off a mammogram.

The hats, most of which have been reimagined and "revitalized" by Gina Bryan, a breast cancer survivor and former patient at CHI Memorial Hospital, have been a big success. Bryan said the hats have been a creative way to start necessary conversations about breast health.

"I think they make such an impact because they're funny," Bryan said. "You can communicate with any person on any level of education with these hats. Anyone can get it."

Angela Posey, outreach services coordinator for the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center, said the hats are a great way to talk about an otherwise serious subject. Posey travels at request with the presentation.

Sometimes, Posey does a fashion show and grabs women from the audience to put the hats on. She said most women get into it and start embodying the character of their hat, leading to a show that is not only fun, but educational.

After each presentation, attendees are given information goodie bags that include how to do breast self-exams, and a key chain with varying bead sizes to help women know what to feel for.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. One in eight women, or 12.4 percent of Americans, will be diagnosed with the disease. In Tennessee, the rates are slightly lower than the national average by 4 to 5 percent. The disease most commonly affects women in their 50s.

Most medical professionals advise women to get annual mammograms starting at age 40, but also encourage them to do a prescreening in their late 30s. However, advice can be inconsistent, with some doctors suggesting a mammogram every two years.

Bryan expressed skepticism over such a long break between exams and stressed the importance of being proactive, after her own journey with breast cancer.

"I did everything right," she said. "I had my baseline [mammogram] at 35, my first mammogram at 40. At 42, I was in between mammograms. It had been six months, and I say God put my finger on it because I wasn't looking for it. I immediately went and was diagnosed. If I hadn't acted, I wouldn't be sitting here today."

Some forms of breast cancer can form aggressively - like Bryan's did - and waiting two years for an exam could increase the risk of death, Bryan and Posey agree.

"Early detection is our real push," said Posey. "Cancer is not the enemy. Late detection is the enemy. We question why there are these inconsistencies and when and how often you should get a mammogram."

Part of the center's mission is to extend education and health care to all women, regardless of financial standing. For uninsured women, mammograms are offered year-round, free of cost.

"We're providing our resources and we're trying to educate and reduce the barriers," Posey said.

The MaryEllen Locher Breast Center can be reached at 495-6744. Services are offered at three locations: CHI Memorial Hospital downtown, 605 Glenwood Drive; CHI Memorial Hospital in Hixson, 5022 Old Godsey Lane, Suite 8; and CHI Memorial Ooltewah Imaging Center, 6401 Mountain View Road.

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