Luncheon raising breast cancer awareness set for Friday

SIKESTON — The Missouri Delta Foundation Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 11.

Organizer Amy Alcorn of Missouri Delta said while past attendance has been strong, this year, too, will follow suit.

“We expect over 300. This event has been very well attended for years. It’s near and dear to many hearts in the community,” she said.

The annual event has been a staple throughout the community for two decades — serving as an outlet for those in need.

“The Breast Cancer Luncheon was started by Robin Stoner when she worked with the American Cancer Society office in Sikeston. I’m not sure when Missouri Delta Foundation took over; however, it has been going strong for approximately 20 years,” said Alcorn.

Speakers range in their narratives, and this year’s speaker is a Sikeston native.

“This year our speaker is a hometown gal, Tiffany Smith Pagel. Tiffany was diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma in 2022 at the age of 36. She is just beginning her recovery journey this year and is honored to share her testimony with all Breast Cancer Awareness advocates and sponsors. Tiffany hopes that her story will help more women listen; not just to their own bodies and their doctors, but to the community that surrounds them,” said Alcorn.

There is more awareness and education than ever before, and early detection is one of the primary messages.

Alcorn said: “Breast cancer awareness and education has evolved over the years in several ways including early detection, which has contributed to a decline in mortality rates; treatment improvements have helped with better outcomes for breast cancer patients, and support groups have been developed to help patients in all stages of their journey.”

All luncheon funds raised will go directly to the Mammography Department at Missouri Delta to help patients who are uninsured or underinsured.

“Our goal is to make sure that no one goes without a screening mammogram. Our Mammography Department has a 3D Mammography System, along with Volpara Analytics, which reads the mammograms as they are being taken. The combination of these technologies make Missouri Delta’s Mammography Department stand out, along with our certified team of technicians,” said Alcorn.

Each year the Foundation has raised between $7,000 and $12,000. And this year should not deviate from the norm.

“I would imagine it would be the same this year. We won’t know the exact amount until after the event. We will have breast cancer T-shirts and cookies for sale that day. Please bring cash or check; we will not have access to a credit/debit card machine,” said Alcorn.

Patients can call (573) 472-7122 to schedule a screening mammogram. No physician order is needed for a screening mammogram. A baseline screening mammogram should be performed between the ages of 35 to 40 and repeated annually after your baseline.

Anyone who has noticed any changes in their breasts or have felt a knot or lump, please call their medical provider first to expedite the process.

Anyone who has a strong family history of breast cancer should make sure to have a personal conversation with their physician on when to have their baseline mammogram performed, Alcorn said.

The luncheon is scheduled for noon Friday, Oct. 11 at First Christian Church at 1006 N. Main St.