How to support a friend with breast cancer

When your friend tells you they have breast cancer, it is a very sobering day. You may feel helpless in the face of the diagnosis and not sure what you can do. Take heart, your support is an important part of treatment. Many studies have shown that cancer survivors with strong emotional support adjust better to the changes cancer brings to their lives and report a better quality of life.

Questions to ask about breast cancer screening

When you prepare for your annual check-up, take some time to consider questions that you want to ask your doctor. Remember, the annual physical is a chance for you and your doctor to be proactive about preventative health care and screening tests are an important part of that - including breast cancer screening for women. Here are a few questions related to breast cancer screening that you might want to add to your list.

Common reasons for breast surgery

As with many types of general surgery, there are a variety of reasons that can cause a doctor to recommend breast surgery. Likewise, there are many different types of breast surgery. Knowing a bit about the most common reasons for breast surgery can help take away some of the natural concern people have when they are facing surgery.

Breast cancer surgery

Most women diagnosed with breast cancer will need surgery as part of their treatment. There are different types of breast cancer surgery depending on each patient's needs. If you or a loved one are diagnosed with breast cancer, you should learn more about surgical options for breast cancer care. Then talk to your doctor about which surgery is best for you.

Breast Cancer by the Numbers

Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer among American women. (The first is skin cancer.) Just about 1 in 8 (12%) women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. There's a high chance that you or someone you know will be affected by this disease. The good news? -- And there's a lot of it -- Death rates from breast cancer have declined since 1989 because of earlier screening, increased awareness, and better treatments. (Source for statistics: American Cancer Society)

Four things you need to know about mammograms

A mammogram is a simple x-ray of the breast that is used to find abnormalities in breast tissue. Doctors also compare one year's mammogram to previous years' mammograms to identify changes in the breast. It's a simple tool that has a huge impact. Mammograms are the most effective tool at finding breast cancer. Finding breast cancer early reduces your risk of dying from the disease by 25% or more. What else should you know about mammograms?

5 common warning signs of breast cancer

As mammograms become more common, thankfully more breast cancers are caught at early stages - before common warning signs even occur. However, not all cancers are found with mammograms so it is important that all women know common warning signs. If you experience these symptoms, you should make an appointment with your primary care physician. Need a doctor? Logansport Memorial's Breast Center diagnoses and treats women throughout North Central Indiana.

Logansport Memorial Hospital Foundation receives grant to support breast health services

The Logansport Memorial Hospital Foundation was once again recently awarded a grant from the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust to provide free digital screening mammograms to low-income, uninsured or under-insured Cass County women. 

The Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust (IBCAT) has been selling breast cancer license plates since they were first authorized for circulation in 2002, according to the website for the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust. It is now among the most widely purchased of special plates on Indiana’s roads. $25 of the purchase price of each plate goes directly to IBCAT, which then uses that money generated to distribute as grant funding to Indiana hospitals and health centers for providing low-income, medically underserved women with access to free screening and diagnostic services (http://www.breastcancerplate.org/programsgrants/grant-programs/). 

The Logansport Memorial Hospital Foundation also supports breast cancer awareness and the program for free mammograms by hosting the River Bluff Run each year in October. The funds generated from the run and walk event are added to supplement the IBCAT grant that the Foundation receives, allowing the Foundation to expand the number of screening mammograms provided.

Women interested in learning about whether or not they qualify for this program should call the Central Scheduling department at Logansport Memorial Hospital. Women may be referred from there to speak with one of our Financial Counselors, who can help determine whether or not you meet the specific guidelines to be a recipient of this program. Even if you don’t meet every guideline, Logansport Memorial Hospital and the Foundation may still be able to help give you access to the care you need. Please don’t hesitate to call and talk with us about the program.

Logansport Memorial Hospital and the Logansport Memorial Hospital Foundation are grateful to the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust for helping us serve women who need these important and potentially life-saving screening mammograms. We will continue pursuing and utilizing every opportunity to help you get connected with services we offer.



The Logansport Memorial Hospital Foundation fulfills its mission of “Gifting for Health” by raising awareness and providing support for initiatives that enhance community health and patient care at Logansport Memorial Hospital. For more information about the Foundation and how it may be able to work with you, please contact Vicki Byrd, Vice-President of Planning and Development at (574) 753-1414.

The mission of the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust, Inc. is to increase awareness and improve access to breast cancer screening and diagnosis throughout Indiana. For more information about the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust and the programs it funds, please visit www.breastcancerplate.org 
or call 1 (866) 724-2228.

Breast care close to home

Breast health is an important part of a woman’s overall health and well-being. Regular breast exams should be a part of annual check-ups at all ages. Changes in the breast - discharge, lumps, skin appearance - are also worthy of medical attention. When you need breast health care, look no further than Logansport Memorial Hospital.

The Breast Center at Logansport Memorial Hospital provides comprehensive breast screening, diagnosis and treatment options. Our dedicated physicians and nurses give compassionate, expert care for a full range of breast health needs.

The importance of screening mammograms

There's no doubt about it, mammograms are one of the best tools available to find breast cancer in its early stages. And early detection of breast cancer dramatically increases survival rates. Yet too many women do not understand when to start getting mammograms, how often to have them or think a mammogram is something that can be put off. When you look at the facts, there is no denying that regularly scheduled screening mammograms save lives.

Common questions about mammograms

Mammograms are an important part of women's health care and yet they are also one of the most misunderstood. Unfortunately, many women skip this screening tool because they don't understand its importance. Some women don't schedule a mammogram out of fear. Others because they don't think it's important if they aren't in the breast cancer high risk category. Some women skip the test because they are concerned with costs.

Here at Logansport Memorial Hospital, we want all women to understand the importance of mammograms and have access to this vital screening tool. Read on to learn answers to the most common questions about mammograms and learn how to schedule your test.

Logansport Memorial Hospital acquires Logansport Regional Cancer Center

As of Monday, May 4, Logansport Memorial Hospital has acquired the Logansport Regional Cancer Center located at 1616 Smith Street in Logansport. The Logansport Regional Cancer Center has been providing comprehensive, community-based radiation therapy services to local patients utilizing state-of-the-art technology for the past 15 years, since 2000. It has been an advantageous option for those patients who face a regimen of cancer treatment because they have not had to leave the community to get the care they need.

Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, uses painless, high-energy x-rays directed toward cancerous tissue to help treat specific types of cancer. Sophisticated machines called linear accelerators are used to do this. In general, radiation therapy treatments are conducted five days per week over a period of two to nine weeks. Each session is administered by a specially-trained therapist. With treatment needed at such a high frequency, it’s easy to see why patients prefer (and appreciate) the option to stay within their own community and receive this care.

“We are very proud to be able to provide this opportunity for our patients and for our community,” commented David Ameen, President and CEO of Logansport Memorial Hospital. “We were approached by the Cancer Care Group who had been previously running the service because they knew they would have to close its doors, due to changing reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid not covering the high cost of providing such care. As the only healthcare provider serving Cass County, we felt compelled to offer this for our patients because we believe that it’s our responsibility to provide comprehensive, accessible healthcare for our community. Our Board of Trustees felt the same way, so we are looking forward to keeping this service here and helping our patients get what they need close to home.”

“Keeping the Logansport Regional Cancer Center here as a local part of healthcare is a tremendous convenience for our patients,” adds Dr. James Hall. “Radiation therapy is designed to give patients a small dose of treatment over a long period of time. This treatment schedule minimizes complications without compromising effectiveness. With the number of patients we see and treat not only from Logansport and Cass County, but also surrounding counties, this is a very beneficial service to offer. As a provider, I also appreciate being able to keep my patients close to home, because I can follow them throughout their journey and better coordinate their care with other providers who are part of their team. Everything – including diagnostic imaging, surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy – can all be done here because LMH has providers and partnerships in place to offer it. Cancer is a team-treated disease and I am proud that we are equipped to treat it with the highest quality of care.”

Dr. John Marvel, Radiation Oncologist for the Logansport Regional Cancer Center, agrees. “It is so much easier for our patients to have the care they need close to home instead of having to drive 30 minutes or more to receive it. Radiation therapy can last anywhere from six to nine weeks for patients seeking a cure. That can result in anywhere from 30 – 44 daily treatments. In sick patients, it can be less, as some with pain may only need two to three weeks of treatment as part of their palliative care. But I am so glad that our hospital stepped up to provide this needed service in an ongoing way for patients by keeping it in the community.”

The Logansport Memorial Regional Cancer Center is open Monday – Friday from 8 am – 4:30 pm. Services are provided with a referral only. You may talk with Mike Etter, Director of Ancillary Services about any questions you have by calling (574) 753-1400, or visit our website to learn more – www.logansportmemorial.org.