SWFL women learn breast cancer risks, health tips at 'Purple Tea'
The Floridant/10298404

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Floridant -- More than 300 Southwest Florida women, all clad in purple attire to show solidarity, explored their individual risk factors for developing breast cancer while also learning tips to optimize their overall health and wellness.

Held Feb. 13 at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers, the third annual Purple Tea breast health symposium explored recent developments in the prevention, screening and treatment of breast cancer through presentations developed by distinguished health care leaders from across the region.

A teen mother and high school dropout, Dr. Singh has since earned five college degrees and serves the community as a nurse, hospitalist and family nurse practitioner. In 2018, she purchased a mobile medical unit on eBay and has since turned her nonprofit into a thriving organization that provides services to medically vulnerable patients.

Nationally, about one in eight women (13%) will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. In 2025 alone, doctors will diagnose more than 300,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer in the U.S. Singh used her opportunity at Purple Tea to encourage all women to schedule their annual mammograms, noting that nearly all types of breast cancer are treatable if caught in the early stages.

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"Early" also was the theme for Dr. Denise Davis, a physician and medical director for women's health with United Healthcare. In addition to noting the importance of early detection, Davis encouraged Purple Tea attendees to tackle everything early, starting with the time they set on their alarm clock.

Another instance of "early," though, has drawn the attention of Dr. Natalia Spinelli, a breast surgical oncologist with Precision Healthcare Specialists who has noticed the changing demographics of her patients.

Dr. Alan Brown, a radiation oncologist with Advocate Radiation Oncology, planned to update Purple Tea attendees about new cancer treatment options, including the debut later this year of proton therapy at Southwest Florida Proton. Instead, he devoted his time to encouraging those undergoing cancer treatments, as well as cancer survivors, to continue sharing their personal stories and seeking support.

Dr. Janine Harewood, a medical oncologist with Lee Health, noted shortcomings in breast cancer treatment that fall along racial and socioeconomic lines.

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In addition to presentations, Purple Tea attendees enjoyed a health fair featuring local health centers, businesses and nonprofits, including Partners for Breast Cancer Care, Lee Health Cancer Institute, Advocate Radiation Oncology, Cancer Alliance Network, American Cancer Society, Precision Healthcare Specialists, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Pink DIVAS United and A New Dawn.

Purple Tea was sponsored by Advocate Radiation Oncology, Lee Health Cancer Institute, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Fort Myers Alumnae of Delta Sigma Theta and IFoundMyDoctor.com. Gerri Ware again served as event chair, pointing out that breast cancer impacts women of all ages, races, ethnicities, socioeconomic classes and other groups.