Methodist Hospital Southlake’s ‘Healthy Night Out With The Girls’ event aimed to give attendees important information about breast cancer awareness in a casual setting.
Before the program began, visitors stopped at information tables and talked with employees of the Breast Care Center, which served as host for the event.
“In the past, I’ve attended events like this one we’re having tonight,” said mammogram technician Laurie Pill, as she handed out welcome bags. “It’s really important to educate the public in the many aspects of breast cancer.”
Latrisha Buckingham of Portage, who serves as Outreach Director for Laini Fluellen Charities, was the guest speaker.
She used storyboards to help illustrate topics, such as how to do a breast self-exam, how to recognize warning signs, and what to expect from screenings. She suggested a website for those who want to know more about breast cancer: knowyourlemons.org.
The Laini Fluellen Charities was started by Fluellen’s family and supporters. In 2016, the 35-year-old East Chicago resident was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), which is an aggressive type of cancer.
Throughout her three-year challenge with the disease, Laini rarely received good news from doctors as few treatment options were available for the type of breast cancer that she had.
“My daughter was a wonderful person, always working with the community and helping others,” said Diane Artis, Laini’s mother, as she waited for the program to begin. “We didn’t want her legacy to die, so we started this charity to honor her.”
This aggressive form of breast cancer (TNBC) is most commonly found in young Black women.
While discussing these facts and figures, it also came to light that although Black women are slightly less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer in comparison with other ethnic groups, they’re 50 percent more likely to pass away from the disease.
A higher breast cancer mortality rate has been recorded for Hispanic women.
Audience member Regina Rutledge of Crown Point heard about the event through the hospital’s newsletter.
Although she hasn’t experienced the night’s topic firsthand, she has seen a family member and a friend deal with breast cancer.
“I’m surprised at what I’m learning,” she said. “I think it’s wonderful that they are presenting educational programs like this.”
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
