Volunteers Darcy Dykhouse, MRHCF Executive Director; Amanda Block, Pharmacy; Kasandra Conrad, Radiology; and Sarah Ries, Radiology take a break for a photo during Pink Night at the MPPS Volleyball Game on Tuesday, October 15.

The American Cancer Society recommends that all women at average risk of breast cancer should have an annual mammogram starting no later than age 45. Women with family history of breast cancer or high-risk factors are often encouraged to start sooner. Any woman, age 40 or older, can call MRH&C’s Radiology Department at 605-845-8175 and schedule a mammogram without a referral. If you’re unsure whether you should get screened, please reach out to your primary care provider for their recommendation.

Breast cancer is one of the most common—and unfortunately, most deadly—cancers. One in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and detecting it early drastically increases survival rates. Mammography’s accuracy in detecting very small cancers is 85-90%. This simple procedure can be scheduled for the same day as your annual exam with a single co-pay, and at MRH&C we are lucky to offer the same digital 3D technology available at larger facilities. No insurance? Please call anyway and ask about financial assistance options.

October was Breast Cancer Awareness month, and this year, the staff at MRH&C and MRHC Foundation worked together to raise awareness in the following ways:

• Promoting prevention with local and social media outlets
• Selling and distributing Pink Night Shirts for hospital staff and community supporters
• Hosting Pink Night from 5-9 on Tuesday, October 15 at the MPPS Volleyball Games
• Offering after-hours mammograms on Wednesday, October 23 from 5-7 p.m.

“We had three different raffles at Pink Night that students and adults could register for,” shared Darcy Dykhouse, Executive Director of the Mobridge Regional Health Care Foundation. “We had an amazing Tiger Balloon Bouquet donated by the hospital, a pink jean quilt donated by Trinity Lutheran Church, and a pink volleyball autographed by the MPPS High School Volleyball team, and lots of people stopped by to enter raffles, learn more about breast cancer prevention, and make donations to MRH&C’s Radiology Department.

Between free-will donations that night and pre-ordered T-shirts, the organization made $750 for Mobridge Regional Hospital’s mammography program. The funds will go toward patient gifts for women who come in for their mammograms. “In the past these funds have helped us purchase make-up bags, shower self-exam hangers, pink nail polish, pink pens, and more,” shared Dykhouse. “Our Radiology Department does an amazing job sending out reminders to people who have had mammograms with us in the past and are due for another exam.”

With November right around the corner, the Foundation will be switching gears to raising awareness for the #1 most common cancer among men—prostate cancer. A new No-Shave November Challenge has been created, and Foundation staff will be posting prevention tips and informational posts about prostate cancer on MRH&C’s Facebook page during the next month. Please like and follow to learn more.