October Is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Posted on Friday, October 2nd, 2009
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Groups and sponsors for this program, and programs like this one, are many and widespread. But, no matter how much these groups promote breast health, there are still women who, for one reason or another, fall behind in their mammograms, missing one of the most crucial tools in breast health.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) describes the three most widely used methods for detecting changes in breast tissue that may signal further examination, and they state their recommendation pretty clearly here:
“Mammogram: A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Mammograms are the best method to detect breast cancer early when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. If you are age 40 years or older, be sure to have a screening mammogram every one to two years.
Clinical breast exam: A clinical breast exam is an examination by a doctor or nurse, who uses his or her hands to feel for lumps or other changes.
Breast self-exam: A breast self-exam is when you check your own breasts for lumps, changes in size or shape of the breast, or any other changes in the breasts or underarm (armpit).
Which tests to choose: Having a clinical breast exam or a breast self-exam have not been found to decrease risk of dying from breast cancer. Keep in mind that, at this time, the best way to find breast cancer is with a mammogram. If you choose to have clinical breast exams and to perform breast self-exams, be sure you also get regular mammograms.”
I guess that means even if you are dedicated to regular breast self-exams or even clinical breast exams, you also MUST have a mammogram to ensure that you are taking care of your breast health.
No matter what statistics say, no matter how much they prove that breast cancer can be fought successfully when detected early, it doesn’t really matter if we’re not listening. When a woman discovers a lump in her breast, all the statistics in the world really don’t matter. It becomes a personal battle – you against the odds. Don’t you want the odds to be on your side? I know I do.
Last year at this time, I was among the many women who ignored her breast health. I thought I couldn’t afford a mammogram because I don’t have health insurance. Yes, I’m one of those “uninsurable” people. As an over 50 year old woman, I am considered a “walking pre-existing condition.” But, because of a newspaper story about a brave woman in my hometown who won her battle against breast cancer, I started investigating how women who don’t have insurance coverage for mammograms can get the test done. I reported my findings last year at this time and you can read that post if you click here.
With one simple call to a local hospital, I found out that many hospitals in my area were offering free mammograms during the month of October. All I had to do was call during October and set up the appointment for any time. She also informed me that our county has a public health department that offers free mammograms to women who meet certain income requirements.
If you are uninsured or underinsured, check these resources out before another October goes by. Make a call to your local hospital for information on programs they may be offering. Call your state or local health department, and go online to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the American Cancer Society, for information regarding free or low cost mammograms. Be sure to also go online to get information from the NBCAM and Susan G. Komen for the Cure websites. Armed with information and resources, you CAN get that mammogram this year!
As we know, early detection is crucial to successful treatment. Don’t let another October go by without scheduling your mammogram. I want you to be here for a long, long time, sharing your life for many years to come with all us future “Remarkable Wrinklies.”
p.s. After you make that phone call to set up your appointment for a mammogram, come back and join my good friend, Susanne, in her Blog Tour by clicking on The Hillbilly Housewife. Susanne is raising money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as she guest-blogs around the cyber-world during October.
Susanne is stopping off at places like Menu Planning Central, Show Mom The Money, and They Call Me Wahmmy, just to mention a few. Susanne has generously pledged to donate 20% of profits made on her ebooks and HBHW Club memberships sold during October.
I just know you want to have a peek at some of Susanne’s guest blogs, but I’m sure once you see just how knowledgeable she is, you’ll want to check out her ebooks, as well! Spend some time at her website, The Hillbilly Housewife and then follow along as she tours around the “blog world.” I know you’ll like what you read!
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