Health Matters
OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
self-exam every month. Special populations at risk for breast cancer include minority and older women. African American women have a higher breast cancer
death rate than women of any other racial or ethnic population.
Many women over the age of 60 feel that screening for breast cancer is not necessary and that they are less at risk than when they were younger. The truth
is women over 60 are more at risk, not less, for breast cancer. In an effort to encourage women to have an annual mammography screening, the third Friday in
October each year is National Mammography Day. On this day, or throughout the month, many radiologists provide discounted or free screening mammograms.
To find a facility participating in National Mammography Day, you can contact the National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4-CANCER.
Additionally, throughout the year, low cost or free mammography screening is available to women who are over 40 and underinsured or un-insured. For
more information, contact the Wisconsin Well Woman Program at 608 266-8311 or The Witness Project of Madison at (608) 658 3758.
death rate than women of any other racial or ethnic population.
Many women over the age of 60 feel that screening for breast cancer is not necessary and that they are less at risk than when they were younger. The truth
is women over 60 are more at risk, not less, for breast cancer. In an effort to encourage women to have an annual mammography screening, the third Friday in
October each year is National Mammography Day. On this day, or throughout the month, many radiologists provide discounted or free screening mammograms.
To find a facility participating in National Mammography Day, you can contact the National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4-CANCER.
Additionally, throughout the year, low cost or free mammography screening is available to women who are over 40 and underinsured or un-insured. For
more information, contact the Wisconsin Well Woman Program at 608 266-8311 or The Witness Project of Madison at (608) 658 3758.
by Dr. Michelle DeBose
For 20 years, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) has been educating women about breast cancer
detection, diagnosis and treatment. The Witness Project of Madison has been educating and recruiting women to “tell their
stories” and “witness” about breast cancer for the past six years. This year, The Witness Project once again is reaching out to
women with important messages. “Early detection saves lives,” is a song with which many have become familiar over the past
20years. This is based on the concept that the sooner breast cancer is detected, the less likely a woman will need highly
invasive and uncomfortable treatments, and the more likely she will survive the disease.
In the United States, one out of eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Thankfully, significant progress
in mammography technology is helping physicians to diagnose the disease earlier and new treatment options mean more
comfortable treatments and improved outcomes. Today, there are more than two million breast cancer survivors in the United
States. Mammography screening is the single most effective method of early detection. Therefore, an annual mammogram is
recommended for women over 40 years of age. Women also should know how their breasts normally feel and report any
breast change promptly to their health care provider. Women can take charge of their breast health by performing a breast
For 20 years, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) has been educating women about breast cancer
detection, diagnosis and treatment. The Witness Project of Madison has been educating and recruiting women to “tell their
stories” and “witness” about breast cancer for the past six years. This year, The Witness Project once again is reaching out to
women with important messages. “Early detection saves lives,” is a song with which many have become familiar over the past
20years. This is based on the concept that the sooner breast cancer is detected, the less likely a woman will need highly
invasive and uncomfortable treatments, and the more likely she will survive the disease.
In the United States, one out of eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Thankfully, significant progress
in mammography technology is helping physicians to diagnose the disease earlier and new treatment options mean more
comfortable treatments and improved outcomes. Today, there are more than two million breast cancer survivors in the United
States. Mammography screening is the single most effective method of early detection. Therefore, an annual mammogram is
recommended for women over 40 years of age. Women also should know how their breasts normally feel and report any
breast change promptly to their health care provider. Women can take charge of their breast health by performing a breast