Prisma Health isn’t waiting for breast cancer awareness month to kick off in October to get people to start thinking about it. Prisma Health is teaming up with South Carolina Athletics at this Saturday’s football game at Williams-Brice Stadium as the Gamecocks host Kentucky to let fans know about some upcoming important initiatives for breast cancer awareness and support, including the Walk for Life and Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon, 5K and 10K on October 12 in Columbia.
“Prisma Health and the University of South Carolina are committed to improving the health of Gamecock Nation by providing education and opportunities about the resources that are available in our communities,” Athletics Director Ray Tanner said. “Prisma Health already provides the best in comprehensive health care for our student-athletes through the many doctors, surgeons, athletics trainers and mental health providers that make up our Gamecock Sports Science Network. This weekend is a great opportunity to get ahead of the game when it comes to breast cancer awareness.”
Prisma Health is not only the largest health care system in South Carolina, but it also offers comprehensive breast health services featuring digital mammography as well as the Midlands’ only digital mobile mammography service, which fans can visit on Saturday at the Gamecock Village before the game. Breast cancer survivors will be honored on the field on Saturday prior to kickoff.
Fans can also visit the Prisma Health tent to pick up information about the 29th Annual Walk for Life and Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon, 5K and 10K, which will be held on Saturday, October 12 at Segra Park. The event, which is expected to have more than 7,000 participants, has raised more than $10 million over the last three decades with proceeds going to Prisma Health Breast Center. Proceeds from the 2019 event will fund a ninth 3D mammography unit for the Breast Center’s Northeast Diagnostics location.
The Prisma Health Breast Center serves as the largest provider of diagnostic breast imaging services in the community and performs an average of 40,000 mammograms every year.
One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death among women. Early detection is key. If breast cancer is found early, there are more treatment options and a better chance for survival. Women whose breast cancer is detected at an early stage have a 93 percent or higher survival rate in the first five years.
Find out more about taking care of your own health by visiting PrismaHealth.org/Gamecocks.
