Mercy radiology residents host Communities Crushing Cancer event

Patients at the Mercy Fitzgerald Wellness Center were greeted with candy, cookies and potentially lifesaving information on Oct. 29, when the hospital’s radiology residents hosted a Communities Crushing Cancer event.

Strategically held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this free educational event was launched several years ago by the Radiology Health Equity Coalition to stress the importance of breast cancer screening and early detection. It has since become an annual initiative nationwide, with Mercy residents bringing it to Darby for the first time this year.

“We are very excited because this is something that we started just out of curiosity and passion for educating patients,” says Donna Parizadeh, MD, radiology resident and Mercy’s Communities Crushing Cancer liaison. “While talking to patients during October about breast cancer awareness, I listened to them. I realized what their questions were, what their fears were about getting screened.”

Throughout the morning, the residents distributed informative yet simple brochures to patients who were interested in learning more about screening for breast cancer, as well as lung and colorectal cancer.

The breast cancer pamphlet included details on vital statistics (1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime); risk factors (family history, onset of menopause after age 55); the importance of screening (finding breast cancer early decreases the chance of dying by up to 40 percent); and how the screening process works.

But it wasn’t all serious—patients could also enjoy a spread of sweet treats and coffee, snag a free pink ribbon pin and snap a picture in the pinked-out photo area, which was complete with a pink skeleton who was ready for both Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Halloween.

Overall, Mercy’s first Communities Crushing Cancer event was a success. Though it wasn’t scheduled to begin until 9 a.m., the residents were happily providing information as early as 8 a.m., when patients saw them setting up and expressed interest.

According to Dr. Parizadeh, the folks of Darby can expect more events like this in the future. There is a need and she wants the radiology residents of Mercy to meet it.

“It’s important, especially with the other hospitals closing in the area, to educate this community so they know what their options are, what they need and where to get it done,” says Dr. Parizadeh.

Visit Mercy Women’s Care for more information on breast cancer care at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital and to make an appointment.