St. John’s Medical Group Educates Community Members on the Importance of Breast Cancer Screening at “Mammoween” Event

Far Rockaway, New York, October 26, 2021 — St. John’s Medical Group, in partnership with Healthfirst, hosted “Mammoween”, a festive breast cancer awareness event in which attendees were educated on the importance of early breast cancer detection, and the various women’s health services offered by St. John’s.

At the event, Sharon Koehler, DO, FACS, Breast Surgeon, and Michael Luyckx, MBA, MPA , BS, RT(R), Vice President for Clinical Services Administration, met with attendees and hosted informative presentations. Dr. Koehler spoke of the importance of breast screening and catching cancer in its early stage, and Mr. Luyckx spoke to the fact that St. John’s is now home to the most advanced breast screening technology available on the Rockaway, Queens peninsula—a state-of-the-art 3D mammography machine that allows clinicians to see breast tissue details more clearly to uncover breast cancer that may have otherwise been hidden by overlying breast tissue.

“Breast cancer awareness is vitally important for our community because with early detection we can cure most everyone,” Dr. Koehler said. “Call your doctor to discuss any breast health concerns that you may have. Mammography is the best screening tool for breast cancer. Please do not hesitate to schedule your mammography today!”

Breast cancer is the leading cancer of residents of the Rockaway Peninsula. Female breast cancer rates in the Rockaways are higher than the overall female breast cancer rates in all of Queens. And, per the statistics provided by the New York City Department of Health, breast cancer is a leading cause of premature death (death before the age of 65) in the Rockaways, with numbers that exceed the overall New York City cancer- related premature death rate.

In regard to St. John’s new 3D mammography machine, the technology behind the machine is superior to 2D mammography in that 2D mammography images can sometimes produce unclear results, false alarms, or fail to detect cancer. Whereas, 3D mammography enables clinicians to examine breast tissue one layer at a time by converting digital breast images into a stack of very thin layers for a radiologist to review.

Additionally, St. John’s Medical Group is enhancing access to quality women’s health services by opening the Margaret O. Carpenter Women’s Health Center in early 2022 at 105-38 Rockaway Beach Blvd., in Rockaway Park. The Center will feature 3D mammography, OB-GYN, behavioral health services, breast surgery, gynecology/oncology, imaging, maternal fetal medicine, nutrition, and urogynecology.

To schedule a Women’s Health-related appointment today call (718) 869-7500.