Health provider urges local women to “Think Beyond Pink”

BETHANY BEACH, Del. – Think Beyond Pink, a conference held by Beebe Healthcare, focuses on educating women about their health and wellness, beyond just breast cancer.

Saturday, the annual talk was held in Bethany Beach for the first time, bringing the information to a new region of Sussex County.

The name “Think Beyond Pink” urges women to remember that there are many aspects to living healthy and being well, beyond breast cancer.

“Our thinking is that if we do more than breast cancer, but also include other aspects of our health, that the health of women will grow,” said Dr. Judith Ramirez, manager of psycho-social services at Beebe.  “While we do breast cancer prevention, we also want to address other women’s health issues, like aging and reproductive health.”

Cardiac health, issues encountered as women age, and the development of wellness practices, such as yoga, were other points that were touched on.

Kim Blanch RN, with Beebe, says something as simple as breathing can lead to big changes.

“It’s estimated that 75-90 percent of all health care provider visits are related to stress.  So if we can utilize a tool that’s immediately available.”

Physicians say women are the most important members of the community to get this information to.

“Once they are implementing healthy lifestyles on themselves, it effects the whole family.  Everybody eats healthy, everybody starts exercising, they’re role models for their children,” said Dr. Ehtasham Qureshi, a cardiologist with Beebe.

Although just dozens packed the room at the South Coastal Library Saturday for the conference, officials hope these women will take the information they learned and share it with those around them, creating a healthier community.

“As we talk about women’s health, that then will invite their mothers, their sisters, their children and community to be involved in taking better care of themselves,” said Ramirez.

“I’m hoping that they’re going to take this message to their families, they’re going to take it to their churches, they’re going to take them to their communities and continue to spread the message,” said Qureshi.

This conference comes just days before the groundbreaking for the new South Coastal Emergency Department and Cancer Center in Millville.

The ground breaking for that is Thursday November 1, at 3 PM.

If you missed out on the conference, but want to live healthier, there are plenty of articles, tips and blogs here.