FirstHealth Joins Nation in Highlighting Breast Cancer Awareness

PINEHURST – October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease and the importance of early detection of breast cancer. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, contributing 25.4 percent of the total number of new cases diagnosed in 2018. Statistics show that one out of every eight women will develop invasive breast cancer at some time in their lives.

The good news is that many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. Thanks to early detection, the breast cancer death rate is constantly declining.

A mammogram – the screening test for breast cancer – can help find breast cancer early when it’s easier to treat. Starting at age 40, you should talk to your doctor about when to begin screenings.

“Breast cancer screening is an important tool in the early detection of breast cancer,” says Michael Batalo, M.D. “This involves a very active patient role in consistent self-breast exams.  Mammograms provide radiographic screening, but knowing your breast is a vital part of the dual approach to detection.”

Current American Cancer Society breast cancer screening guidelines say that all women should begin having yearly mammograms by age 45, and can change to having mammograms every other year beginning at age 55.

American Cancer Society breast cancer screening guidelines are developed to save lives by finding breast cancer early, when treatment is more likely to be successful. The Society regularly reviews the science and updates screening recommendations when new evidence suggests that a change may be needed.

Help make a difference during Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

• Ask doctors and nurses to speak to women about the importance of getting screened for breast cancer.
• Encourage women ages 40 to 49 to talk with their doctors about when to start getting mammograms.

Any woman having a mammogram at a FirstHealth facility during October will be given a free pink tumbler. Schedule your mammogram at FirstHealth today by calling (866) 415-2778 toll-free.

Interested in joining the fight against breast cancer?

Register for the 1in8k Run for Moore, an 8k race that provides support for members of our community who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Support includes help with transportation to and from treatments, wigs, medications and other supplies needed during the course of treatment, and to ensure that uninsured and underinsured Moore County residents have access to mammography screenings at little or no cost at the Moore Free & Charitable Clinic. Proceeds benefit the Foundation's Cancer CARE Fund and mammography scholarships through the Moore Free & Charitable Clinic. For more information, or to register, visit www.firsthealth.org/1in8k.