Contact:
Linnea Allen
Office: 318-626-4268
Cell: 318-294-6262
linnea.allen@ochsnerlsuhs.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2023
Ochsner LSU Health hosts free event for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
SHREVEPORT, La. – Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport will host its annual VIPink event on Saturday, October 21. This lunch and learn, which is free and open to the public, aims to educate women on the risks of breast cancer, treatment options and the importance of early screenings and annual mammograms. The event will be held at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Community Center at 911 Margaret Place, Shreveport, LA 71101.
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 4,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Louisiana this year. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, and there is a one in eight chance that a woman will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. The key to accurate diagnosis and effective treatment is regular screenings, including annual mammograms for women over the age of 40.
At VIPink, Dr. Nayanatara Swamy will speak about breast cancer, prevention options and updates on the latest treatments. Dr. Swamy is a radiologist practicing at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Center and specializes in breast imaging. Her medical interests include increasing awareness and improving access to mammography and breast imaging, as well as resident and medical student education. In addition to guest speaker Dr. Swamy, several community organizations will be at the event to offer resources, door prizes and goody bags for guests.
VIPink Lunch & Learn
Saturday, October 21 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Center Community Center
Women’s and Children’s Entrance, 911 Margaret Place, Shreveport, LA 71101
Registration and lunch served at 11 a.m. Program begins at 11:30 a.m.
To register for VIPink, visit this link or email Bonnie Hughes at bonnie.hughes@ochsnerlsuhs.edu. To schedule a mammogram at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, call 318-626-1540 or visit ochsnerlsuhs.org/mammogram to learn more.
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ABOUT OCHSNER LSU HEALTH
The Ochsner LSU Health System of North Louisiana (Ochsner LSU Health) is a partnership between Ochsner Health, the largest health system in the state of Louisiana, and LSU Health Shreveport, which includes the Schools of Medicine, Allied Health Professions and Graduate Studies and a robust research enterprise. Ochsner LSU Health provides healthcare to more than 140,000 patients across North Louisiana. With more than 20 locations, Ochsner LSU Health includes multiple outpatient facilities, clinics, three acute care hospitals — including North Louisiana’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 2 Pediatric Trauma Center at its acute care hospital and a newly renovated hospital with women’s and children’s services in Shreveport, La. and an acute care hospital in Monroe, La designated as a Level III Trauma Center — as well as Louisiana Behavioral Health, providing inpatient and intensive outpatient mental health services in partnership with Oceans Healthcare. The system has more than 4,200 employees that work alongside the Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Physician Group of 950 physicians and residents in more than 65 specialties and subspecialties.
Emily Oliver
PR and Internal Communications Manager
Ochsner LSU Health and Ochsner Rush Health
