Health news

Leadership Award for Breast Health

OLD TOWN – The Maine Leadership Award for Breast Health was presented at the 10th annual Silver Tea hosted by first lady Karen Baldacci on Tuesday at the Blaine House in Augusta, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In addition, 2005 marks the 20th anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness month.

This year’s award recipient was Pamela Sirois of Old Town, who was recognized for her leadership role in advocating for the breast cancer needs of the women of Maine.

Sirois has been involved in the breast health field for more than 20 years. She began as a mammography technician, and in 2000 was appointed the director of the St. Joseph Healthcare Breast Care Center, which sees 1,000 patients each month.

As a long-standing member of the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition, Sirois saw firsthand the number of breast health needs in Maine that were “falling through the cracks,” and she played an important role in developing the Patient Support Service Fund in 1999.

The fund provides help to Maine women and men with breast health-cancer issues who are uninsured or underinsured, providing financial help for items not covered by any other program, such as living expenses, travel costs and prescriptions.

“I can think of no one who has been more dedicated and committed over an entire career to breast health than Pam,” said Dianne Swandal, vice president of patient care services at St. Joseph Healthcare, in a letter to the selection committee. “She has worked in many capacities to advance the breast health cause through every possible venue, and volunteers tirelessly for Maine women and our community.”

The Maine Leadership Award for Breast Health, created in 1998, is a collaborative effort of the American Cancer Society, the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program, the Maine Cancer Foundation, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation-Maine Affiliate and the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition.

The leadership award is given annually during October to recognize a Maine woman or man who has made an exceptional contribution to promoting breast health, improving understanding of breast cancer or working toward the elimination of the disease at the national, state or local level.

Safe-driving course

BANGOR – A safe-driving course specially designed for motorists age 50 and older will be offered by AARP under the sponsorship of the Hammond Street Senior Center. The course will take place 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 12-13, at the Hammond Street Senior Center, 2 Hammond St.

Maine law requires all auto insurers to offer discounts on premiums for three years to people over age 55 who participate in the eight-hour course.

The course is taught in two four-hour sessions spanning two days. The fee is $10, which covers the cost of student materials.

The course helps drivers refine existing skills and develop safe defensive driving techniques. AARP members and others may take the course. There are no written or road tests.

Call 262-5532 to register for the class. For information, call AARP instructor Dom Ortolano at 989-7380.

Women’s health screening

BANGOR – The Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program, a state and federally funded program aimed at early detection of breast and cervical cancer, has announced the fall dates and locations for its no-cost screenings.

Screenings will take place Friday, Oct. 21, at Penobscot Community Health Center, Penquis Health Services and St. Joseph’s Regional Breast Care Center in Bangor.

The breast and cervical health campaign, which has been running for 10 years and screens an average of 4,200 women a year, aims to:

. Lower breast and cervical cancer deaths through early detection.

. Provide breast and cervical cancer screening and follow-up services to Maine women who can’t afford it.

. Provide education to Maine women about the importance of regular breast and cervical cancer screenings.

A woman is eligible for the program if she is between 40 and 64, has no insurance or insurance with limited coverage or high deductibles, and her income falls within the program’s guidelines. For those women who qualify, the program will pay for annual mammograms, breast exams, Pap tests, pelvic exams and limited diagnostic and follow-up services.

Pre-registration is required. To make an appointment for a screening day and to see if they qualify, women may call (800) 350-5180, press 1, for information. The TTY is (800) 438-5514.