Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center to Host “Untie the Ribbons” Event, Aimed at Raising Awareness of Aggressive Form of Breast Cancer

BATON ROUGE, La. – Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is hosting a free event to raise awareness of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) – a cancer that typically spreads faster than other breast cancers. “Untie the Ribbons” will be held Saturday, February 4 from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Southern University School of Nursing – J.K. Haynes Hall (101 Swan Avenue). This community health event will educate, enlighten and empower women on the impact of  TNBC in an effort to reduce mortality, especially in African American women.

 Untie the Ribbons
According to the American Cancer Society, cases of TNBC account for 10-15 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses. TNBC is considered to be more aggressive than other types of breast cancer because “it grows quickly, is more likely to have spread at the time it’s found, and is more likely to come back after treatment than other types of breast cancer.”

Mary Bird Perkins Oncologists Dr. Constance Blunt, M.D., and Dr. Victor Lin, M.D., Ph.D., medical director, clinical research and genetics, will share with attendees how a diagnosis of this disease can impact an individual’s life. Also included in the day, through a series of engaging presentations, is education on the importance of early detection. Survivors will also share their inspiring stories to shed light on the signs and impact of a TNBC diagnosis. An empowering and fun fashion show, featuring survivors, will round out the awareness event. A light breakfast and lunch will be served.

“Awareness is critical when it comes to Triple Negative Breast Cancer, which typically spreads faster than other breast cancers, and has fewer treatment options,” said Renea Duffin, vice president, cancer support and outreach, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “Being able to provide women from the Greater Baton Rouge community with essential education, detection and prevention resources is critical to catching diagnoses earlier and improving outcomes.”

To register, visit marybird.org/untietheribbons.

While the event is open to the entire community, women under the age of 40, specifically African American Women are encouraged to attend.

This event is being sponsored by partners CareSouth and Aetna, and in partnership with Gilead Sciences, Inc.*

About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is a regional cancer care organization that has been fighting cancer for more than 50 years. The cancer care organization provides care at 10 centers in Baton Rouge, Covington, Gonzales, Hammond, Houma, Opelousas, Slidell, and Natchez, Mississippi, and its service area encompasses southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi regions. Mary Bird Perkins has a strategic affiliation with OneOncology and the largest radiation and medical oncology groups from across the area including exclusive partnerships with Southeastern Louisiana Radiation Oncology Group, which provides radiation therapy throughout Mary Bird Perkins’ service areas, Northshore Oncology Associates, serving St. Tammany and Washington Parishes, specifically the communities of Covington and Slidell and Louisiana Hematology Oncology Associates, which services the Greater Baton Rouge area. For more information, please visit www.marybird.org.

*Gilead Sciences, Inc. has had no input into the development or content of this event and related materials