photo by: LMH Health/Contributed Photos

Shown from left to right are Marcia Jacobson, a breast nurse navigator at LMH Health; Dr. Dawn Jones, an LMH Health general surgeon who specializes in breast surgery; and Dr. Scarlett Aldrich, of Plastic Surgery Specialists of Lawrence.

LMH Health, NAACP Lawrence and the Lawrence Public Library will host a community event about breast cancer risk factors and prevention on Oct. 9.

“Know Your Risk: A Community Conversation about Breast Cancer,” which will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, is a free, family-friendly event open to all who are interested in learning more about the disease.

Marcia Jacobson, a breast nurse navigator at LMH Health, will present with Dr. Dawn Jones, an LMH Health general surgeon who specializes in breast surgery, and Dr. Scarlett Aldrich of Plastic Surgery Specialists of Lawrence.

“We are excited to engage with the Lawrence community and spread the word about breast cancer risk and prevention,” said Erica Hill, LMH Endowment finance and operations manager and health equity champion. “It is important for the community and its hospital to be connected. We hope to educate and increase awareness of risk factors.”

The presentation also will include discussion focusing on breast cancer disparities among racial and ethnic groups, as well as improving health literacy.

“The statistics are staggering,” Hill said. “Cancer does not affect everyone the same way. Understanding your risk can be the key to saving your life.”

For example, African-American women are nearly twice as likely as white women to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer and are much more likely than white women to die from breast cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Hill believes that through education, community support and preventive action, such as regular mammograms, these statistics can change.

Attendees will be able to talk with LMH Health representatives and schedule a mammogram on-site.

Additionally, mammogram vouchers are available for people who may not be able to afford them. Those vouchers are made possible by proceeds from Rock the Block – Kick Cancer, LMH Endowment’s annual oncology fundraiser. For more information about vouchers, call LMH Health Patient Accounts at 785-505-5775.

— Courtney Bernard is a development coordinator for LMH Endowment Association. LMH Health is a major sponsor of the Lawrence Journal-World’s Health section. Courtney can be reached at Courtney.Bernard@lmh.org.