Promoting Breast Cancer Awareness With Tweets, Talks

NEW HAVEN — The Hospital of Saint Raphael will be tapping into the power of social media in October to educate the public about breast cancer. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month, the hospital will be posting short messages on the Twitter and Facebook social networking sites exploring facts and myths about breast cancer.

The postings cover topics ranging from the role of family history in breast cancer to the preventative properties of foods like green tea and olive oil. Myths debunked include the roles of bras and antiperspirants in causing the disease.

A new fact or myth will be posted every day in October, with the postings linked to expanded discussions of the topics on a permanent page on the Saint Raphael’s website at www.srhs.org/factsandmyths.

Denise Barajas, MD, director of Saint Raphael’s Women’s Center for Breast Health, will also be monitoring web bulletin boards in October to help answer questions about breast cancer-related topics.

“Social media is a new forum for us to spread the word about breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention,” Dr Barajas said. “We look forward to reaching a new audience with vital information that can be used to make smart health choices.”

To see Saint Raphael’s Breast Cancer Awareness month social media postings, follow the hospital on Twitter at twitter.com/HospStRaphael or find the Facebook page by searching “Hospital of Saint Raphael.”

In addition to the social media campaign, Saint Raphael’s will be marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month with events at the hospital including a talk on “Women Living with Cancer” on October 19, and a Breast Cancer Survivor Social featuring author Eileen Kaplan on October 21.

Saint Raphael’s is also taking part in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven on October 24. For more information on these events, visit www.srhs.org/lookingforwardcalendar.