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Syracuse Makes Strides During Breast Cancer Awareness Month Syracuse Makes Strides During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Colette Jones

Breast cancer survivor poses with her decorated sign that says "Christina's Crusaders"
© 2019 Colette Jones

(Colette Jones): “The American Cancer Society put on its 24th annual Making Strides of Syracuse Walk this past weekend to celebrate breast cancer survivorship and raise funds to fight against the disease. Communications Director Amy Delia shares preventative measures men and women can take to lower their risk of getting the disease.”

(Amy Delia): “It’s really important for women to know their body, know their family history, know what screenings are right for them to have that conversation with their doctor. But men should really be aware of their bodies, as well, and any changes, anything that seems abnormal or different, definitely talk to their doctor.”

(Colette Jones): “Amy shares more on how the community can support patients and survivors.”

(Amy Delia): “Be there for people in your community who are affected by cancer. Encourage them to call the American Cancer Society to see what programs and services that we have to help them and just be that emotional support.”

(Colette Jones): “To see more events and resources in the area, visit cancer.org/newyork. Colette Jones, NCC News.”

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime,  but www.cancer.org also says men are at risk.

The American Cancer Society held its 24th Annual Making Strides of Syracuse Walk on Oct. 13 to celebrate breast cancer survivorship and raise funds to fight against the disease. Communications Director Amy Delia shared preventative measures men and women can take to lower their risk of getting the disease.

“It’s really important for women to know their body, know their family history, know what screenings are right for them to have that conversation with their doctor,” Delia said. “But men should really be aware of their bodies, as well. [If there are] any changes, anything that seems abnormal or different, [they should] definitely talk to their doctor.”

At the event, representatives from Upstate University Hospital shared information about the hospital’s Mobile Mammography Unit, which is a 45-foot RV equipped with a 3D digital mammogram system that travels throughout eight counties in New York.

With an order from their doctor, women who are 40 years and older, have not had a mammogram in the past year and are not experiencing breast problems can get a breast cancer screening in Onondaga, Oswego, Oneida, Madison, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

“The goal is to provide better access to mammography for women who may not be able to get to a fixed site for another reason,” said Wendy Hunt, the program manager for the Upstate University Hospital Mobile Mammography Unit.

Because the Mobile Mammography Unit only provides screening mammography, a doctor is not required to be on site. Hunt encourages men and women who have noticed lumps or any other breast cancer symptoms to visit a “fixed site” like a hospital, instead of scheduling an appointment with this unit.

To learn more about Upstate University Hospital’s Mobile Mammography Unit, visit www.upstate.edu. To see more events and resources in the area, visit cancer.org/newyork.

Survivor by Destiny’s Child playing in the background

Emcee: “Let’s hear it for all of our survivors this morning! Let’s hear it!”

Crowd cheers

Volunteers scream and cheer for people participating in Making Strides of Syracuse Walk

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