St. Elizabeth Health Center plans 3 breast-health education events

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

St. Elizabeth Health Center will have three breasthealth education events in light of a recent study.

“We’re trying to get education out to women in Mahoning County to let them know there is funding available for mammograms and to educate them about breast health,” said Laura Sutherin, the breast-health liaison for St. Elizabeth.

The study done by The Northeast Ohio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for The Cure identified Mahoning as one of three Ohio counties with the highest late-stage breast-cancer diagnosis and mortality rates, specifically among blacks and Hispanics.

The hospital recently won a grant through the Susan G. Komen Foundation to spread breast-health education by starting its new Comprehensively Pink Program.

Julie Walsh, coordinator for cancer prevention and early detection at St. Elizabeth, said the grant was for about $30,000.

“Our mission is to help serve the poor and underserved and to reach out to the community to provide this service,” Walsh said. “The need is also there to educate not only women 40 and older, but women 40 and younger because there are people that are younger who get breast cancer.”

Women without insurance or who are under- insured can receive free mammograms at the events, the first of which is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 21 at Sovereign Grace Chapel, 2012 Mahoning Ave. in Youngstown. The second event will be 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at Holy Trinity Ukranian Church, 526 W. Rayen Ave. To register, call the Humility of Mary Heathline at 330-480-3151 or toll-free 1-877-700-4647.

The third event will be scheduled for this spring.