The UAB Breast Imaging section marked another successful Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October with a variety of initiatives to promote breast cancer screening. The department’s sonographers and technologists led several coordinated campaigns, including giving screening patients gifts to encourage monthly self-exams and displaying custom-painted banners created by a local artist and daughter of a breast imaging technologist at each screening site.

The efforts resulted in record-breaking numbers: 2,236 screening mammograms were performed across all five screening locations, along with 1,510 diagnostic mammograms at The Kirklin Clinic.

A highlight of the month was the Pink Party Night, which welcomed nearly 50 UAB and city of Birmingham employees for after-hours screenings. Participants received free chair massages, food, small giveaways, and the opportunity to shop from local vendors.

For Baily Cato, clinical manager of the breast imaging section, Pink Party Night helps make a test many women dread feel supportive, festive and even fun.

“Many women tend to delay mammograms because it’s a sensitive and sometimes uncomfortable exam,” Cato said. “The increased focus during Breast Cancer Awareness campaigns serves as an important reminder of why screening is so vital. It helps reinforce the message about early detection and the importance of maintaining yearly imaging. I also believe the educational materials distributed by UAB play a key role in keeping patients informed and engaged. Overall, these combined efforts not only promote breast cancer screening but can also encourage patients to stay proactive in other aspects of their healthcare.”