Spreading knowledge ~ Saving Lives

Southcoast Hospitals and the American Cancer Society host a "Cancer Awareness Day"

For Immediate Release	Contact: Joyce Faria Brennan
March 7, 2007	508-961-5270
	brennanj@southcoast.org
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FALL RIVER, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group and the American Cancer Society are teaming up to raise cancer awareness in the South Coast region.

"Spreading knowledge ~ Saving Lives," A Cancer Awareness Day, will be held on Sunday, April 1, from noon to 3 p.m. at White's of Westport, 66 State Road, Westport, Mass.

Informational booths on prevention and treatment on a range of cancers and a speaking program on breast, colon and prostate cancers with area experts will highlight the afternoon.

• Patricia Andrade, MD, of The Breast Center of Southcoast, LLC, in New Bedford, will speak about the importance of breast health and the state of the art diagnostic and surgical techniques available in the South Coast region.

• Karen Susskind, MD, and Allyson Mandel, NP, of PrimaCare in Fall River, will discuss diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer.

• Derek Hausladen, MD, and Claire Waleka, ANP, of New Bedford Urological Associates in North Dartmouth, will discuss new developments in diagnosing and treating prostate cancer.

"Almost every family on the South Coast has been touched by some form of cancer," noted Frances Fuller, RN, Director of Oncology and Specialty Services at Southcoast. "We invite residents to take advantage of this regional forum so we can share the many advances in diagnosis and treatment, and important tips on how to prevent this deadly disease."

Experts from Southcoast Hospitals, the American Cancer Society and other area organizations will provide information about living with the cancer diagnosis, including complementary therapies, nutrition counseling, clothing and self-image. Bilingual information will be available and Portuguese and Spanish interpreters will be onsite.

Refreshments will be served. There will be raffles for gift baskets and complementary therapies will be held throughout the afternoon. Registration is encouraged by calling the Southcoast Wellness Line at 1-800-497-1727.

Southcoast's Oncology Program includes multidisciplinary services at all three Southcoast Hospitals and at The Oncology Center in Dartmouth. The program also includes hospice and palliative care services through Southcoast Home Care. The program is fully accredited by the Commission of Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons, earning approval with commendation, the highest rating.

About Southcoast

Southcoast Health System, a not-for-profit charitable organization, is a community based health delivery system with multiple access points, offering an integrated continuum of advanced health services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and East Bay, Rhode Island. It includes Southcoast Hospitals Group, formed in 1996 from the merger of Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.

Southcoast has more than 40 ancillary facilities, including the Southcoast Health Van, home health care, hospice and infusion services, numerous outpatient medical services, an assisted living facility and a wellness center. For more information visit www.southcoast.org.

Southcoast is one of three community hospitals approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to perform open heart surgery and primary angioplasty beginning in Spring 2002.

Media Contact

Joyce Faria Brennan
Phone: 508-961-5270
Pager: 508-387-9605
Fax: 508-961-5876
brennanj@southcoast.org