Rep. Payne Hosts Town Hall For Breast Cancer Awareness In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — “Breast cancer impacts us all because it hurts the ones we love the most.” This message from U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. was among the pleas for awareness made during a recent town hall held in Newark.

Last week, Payne – who represents the 10th Congressional District in New Jersey – hosted a town hall event alongside health experts and breast cancer survivors at the Leroy F. Smith Public Safety Building on Nelson Place in Newark.

The yearly event, held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, stressed the importance of routine screenings to prevent late-stage diagnoses.

According to a news release from Payne’s office:

“Breast cancer remains the second-leading cause of cancer deaths for women across the nation, with 43,000 dying from it each year. And, the death rates for African American and Latina women are 30 percent higher than for their white counterparts. This Town Hall connects individuals with providers and advocates who can help identify life-saving resources in our community.”

“I'm often asked, ‘How do you tell someone they have breast cancer?’” said Nadine Pappas, a breast surgical specialist at St. Michael’s Medical Center in Newark.

“My answer is always with the hope and conviction that ‘We can fix this,’” Pappas emphasized.

According to Pappas, there have been significant advances in treatment, mammography and surgical techniques. But challenges still remain in the fight against breast cancer, including “overcoming the fear and socioeconomic barriers to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.”

“Early detection with annual screening mammography is the cornerstone for beating breast cancer,” Pappas urged. “The earlier we find it, the easier it is to fix.”

“Mammograms play a powerful role in saving lives,” agreed Payne.

“We gather every year to encourage more women and men to schedule their annual screenings,” the congressman said. “This is how we prevent late-stage diagnoses and save more lives.”

• See related article: Rep. Payne Pushes For Cancer Screening Bill In Name Of His Late Father

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