October 17th is National Mammography Day

The American Cancer Society Reminds You:
•Women 40 years and older should receive a yearly mammogram for as long as they are in good health.
•Women in their 20s and 30s should receive a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a periodic health exam about every three years; women 40 and older should receive a CBE every year.
•Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
•Women at high risk (greater than 20 percent lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year and women at moderately increased risk (15 to 20 percent lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram. Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15 percent.

Early Detection and Treatment will Save Your Life. Get Screen Today!

What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in one or both of the breasts. Breast cancer usually develops in the ducts or lobules, also known as the milk-producing areas of the breast.October 17th is National Mammography Day. Many sites will be offering free and low-cost mammographies.
If you have not had a mammography recently, please sign up.

Free and Low-Cost Mammographies (Some programs are for this month only or on October 17th):
The American College of Radiology - Search for these facilities in your area. The facilities that are participating will be listed with a pink ribbon designation.
Local Susan G. Komen Foundation Affiliate: Komen affiliates raise money to help local underserved women obtain breast health services. The affiliate will have a listing of organizations to which they have granted funding, so call to see what services might be available in your area. To locate your nearest affiliate, log onto the Komen Foundation Web site.
Planned Parenthood Clinics: Women can make an appointment for all types of low-cost or free health services, including breast health, with the clinic nearest them by calling 1-800-230-PLAN (800-230-7526).
YWCA Encore Plus Programs: Services are provided on a sliding scale. Screening mammography is available to women 35 years and older who are medically underserved. Call 1-800-95-EPLUS (1-800-953-7587).
CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Programs: Offer low-cost mammograms and clinical breast exams to women between the ages of 40-64. States are legally able to narrow the age range, so call your state to find out if you are eligible for this program. They may also have information about other facilities in their area for younger women. Call toll-free 1-888-842-6355 or log onto the above Web site for information specific to your area.

Resources:
• Mammograms: Questions and answers about screening
• National Cancer Institute: What you need to know about breast cancer
• Visit The Healing Project's Resource Page and Select Breast Cancer for an exhaustive list of Breast Cancer Resources.

National Mammography Day
American Cancer Society
250 Williams Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303(800) ACS-2345 (227-2345)
http://www.cancer.org/
Materials available
Contact: National Office