Inspired by the words of keynote speaker Barbara Dooley, St. Mary’s Fearless Warriors Pretty in Pink Luncheon was held on October 10 in Athens, Georgia, to honor breast cancer survivors and promote awareness about the disease.
Dr. Kathleen Jeffery, medical director of St. Mary’s Breast Health Center and lead organizer of the event, stated: “This special luncheon is dedicated to honoring breast cancer survivors and the incredible journey of hope, healing and empowerment that they are on.”
The event took place at The Chapel on Prince Avenue as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities. More than 100 people attended, including survivors, their families, friends, loved ones, and healthcare staff.
Both Dooley and Dr. Jeffery highlighted statistics from the American Cancer Association (ACS), noting that approximately one in eight women will be affected by breast cancer during their lives. They also pointed out that invasive breast cancer causes the death of one in 43 women. According to ACS estimates for 2024, there will be 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in women and 2,790 cases in men; it is expected to claim the lives of 42,250 women and 530 men.
Data from ACS also indicate a gradual increase in breast cancer incidence over recent years—about one percent annually between 2012 and 2021—with a higher rate among women under age 50 compared to those aged 50 or older.
Survival rates depend heavily on early detection. For cancers found at a localized stage, the five-year survival rate is now at 99 percent. This figure drops to 87 percent when cancers have spread to nearby tissues and further declines to 32 percent if metastasis occurs.
Dr. Jeffery emphasized: “What this means is that it is vital we diagnose breast cancer in its early stages, before it spreads.” She added: “The best way to detect early-stage tumors is with regular self-exams and annual mammography screening, combined, when needed, with additional testing for women with dense breast tissue or whose family history indicates that they are a candidate for genetic testing.”
