Luncheon to raise breast cancer awareness

By Amelia Harper

Staff Writer, Rocky Mount Telegram

Nash UNC Health Care is hosting a Lunch & Learn event in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

The Lunch & Learn meeting will be held in the Conference Center in the Mayo Surgery Pavilion on the Nash UNC Health Care campus.

Jay Manikkam, medical oncologist at UNC Cancer Care at Nash UNC Health Care, said that breast cancer affects more people in the Twin Counties than most people realize. Manikkam’s main clinical interest is the management of breast cancer.

“Everyone knows that October is breast cancer awareness month, but not everyone knows the effect breast cancer has right here in our own community. Nash and Edgecombe county rank among some of the highest mortality rates in the nation from breast cancer,” Manikkam said in a press release from the hospital.

Dr. Kelly McAlarney, breast fellowship-trained radiologist at Nash Breast Care Center, said many people are susceptible to breast cancer based on their family history and lifestyle habits.

“Lots of women think they don’t need a mammogram unless they feel a lump or unless they are older. This is not true. Mammograms save lives when we find cancers when they are small. The best thing women can do is get their yearly mammograms starting at age 40,” McAlarney said.

Sterling Grimes, executive director of UNC Cancer Care at Nash, said that the Lunch & Learn event is a unique opportunity for the public to learn more.

“It’s not often that the public gets to sit down and talk with the doctors about any concerns they might have or questions they want answered," Grimes said. "For those who want to learn more about breast cancer in general, this event is a great opportunity.”

Registration is required to attend the event and can be done through the Nash UNC Health Care website at nashunchealthcare.org/events or by calling 252-962-8766. The event is free and lunch is provided.