Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital to Host 10th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Event on Oct. 6

Somerset, N.J. - Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) is hosting its 10th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Event, The Best Kept Secret: Dense Breast Tissue, on October 6, 2016. Keynote speaker, Nancy M. Cappello, Ph.D., breast cancer survivor and Director and Founder of Are You Dense, Inc. and Are You Dense Advocacy Inc., will address the characteristics of dense breast tissue, explore the challenges it creates for women with dense breasts on mammograms and present information to aid in preventing a missed or delayed cancer diagnosis. The annual community event will take place at 5 p.m. at The Imperia, located at 1714 Easton Avenue in Somerset, N.J.

40% of women have dense breast tissue, and breast density can impact the accuracy of a mammogram at any age. Dense breast tissue is comprised of less fat and more connective/fibrous and glandular tissue. On a mammogram, both dense tissue and cancerous tumors appear white, making it nearly impossible to “see” the tumor. Mammography is not always successful in identifying cancer in dense breasts. Breast density is also a well-established predictor of breast cancer risk.

Dr. Cappello is a survivor-turned-advocate whose mission is to educate the public about the risks and screening challenges of dense breast tissue to prevent missed, delayed and advanced-stage cancer, thus reducing mortality. Her blog, Nancy’s Chalkboard, is published by The Huffington Post, and she has presented her personal story throughout the country and at medical conferences in Rome, Tokyo and Paris. Dr. Cappello was influential in the development of the first density reporting law in the nation in 2009. Since then, twenty-eight states have enacted density reporting laws and a federal bill is pending.

Laura R. Bond, M.D., Board Certified Radiation Oncologist, General Internal Medicine and Therapeutic Radiology Specialist at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and RWJUH New Brunswick and Somerset, and Shicha Kumar, M.D., Board Certified General Surgeon and Surgical Oncology Specialist at Rutgers Cancer Instituter of New Jersey and RWJUH New Brunswick, will also be presenting information about this health topic.

“Our annual breast cancer awareness event provides the community an opportunity to join together for an evening of learning about an important health topic related to breast cancer,” said Michael Antoniades, President and Chief Executive Officer of RWJUH. “We are pleased to celebrate the 10th year of this annual event with Dr. Cappello who will be presenting valuable information guests can take for themselves and share with loved ones. We hope that after hearing Dr. Capello’s inspiring story, attendees will be able to walk away from the awareness event with valuable information that could potentially save their lives.”

This event is open to the public, and pre-registration is required. Registration is now open. The cost of admission, including RWJ exhibits, a gift bag and dinner is $25. Individuals interested in attending should register at 1-888-637-9584.

To learn more about breast care and mammography at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, visit www.RWJmammo.com. To schedule an appointment for a 3D mammogram at The Sanofi US Breast Care Program at the Steeplechase Cancer Center at RWJUH Somerset, call (908) 704-3740. Interested individuals can also call (732) 253-3928 to contact Breast Care Connection at RWJUH’s New Brunswick Campus.

For more information about Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, visit www.rwjuh.edu or call 1-888-MD-RWJUH.

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About Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) is a 965-bed academic medical center with campuses in New Brunswick and Somerville, NJ. Its Centers of Excellence include cardiovascular care from minimally invasive heart surgery to transplantation, cancer care, stroke care, neuroscience, joint replacement, and women’s and children’s care including The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (www.bmsch.org).

As the flagship Cancer Hospital of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the principal teaching hospital of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, RWJUH is an innovative leader in advancing state-of-the-art care. A Level 1 Trauma Center and the first Pediatric Trauma Center in the state, RWJUH’s New Brunswick campus serves as a national resource in its ground-breaking approaches to emergency preparedness.

RWJUH has been ranked among the best hospitals in America by U.S. News & World Report seven times and has been selected by the publication as a high performing hospital in numerous specialties. The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital has been ranked among the best hospitals in America by U.S. News & World Report three times. In addition, RWJUH was named among the best places to work in health care by Modern Healthcare magazine and received the Equity of Care Award as Top Hospital for Healthcare Diversity and Inclusion from the American Hospital Association.

Both the New Brunswick and Somerset campuses have earned significant national recognition for clinical quality and patient safety, including the prestigious Magnet® Award for Nursing Excellence and “Most Wired” designation by Hospitals and Health Networks Magazine. The Joint Commission and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services have designated the New Brunswick Campus as a Comprehensive Stroke Center and the Somerset Campus as a Primary Stroke Center.

The American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer has rated RWJUH New Brunswick among the nation’s best comprehensive cancer centers and designated the Steeplechase Cancer Center at RWJ Somerset as a Comprehensive Community Cancer Center. The Joint Surgery Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for total knee and total hip replacement surgery.

RWJ’s New Brunswick and Somerset campuses are now part of RWJBarnabas Health. RWJBarnabas Health is the most comprehensive health care delivery system in New Jersey, treating over 3 million patients a year. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, RWJUH in New Brunswick and Somerville, RWJUH- Hamilton, RWJUH- Rahway and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston; three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital (Children’s Specialized Hospital), a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, a medical group, multi-site imaging centers and four accountable care organizations.

RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s second largest private employer – with more than 32,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns – and routinely captures national awards for its outstanding quality and safety.

For more information, visit us online at www.rwjuh.edu.