ACR and SBI encourage women to get annual mammograms

According to Luke Smith, public health educator for the Sampson County Health Department, the Pink Ribbon Campaign is held annually the first week in October. This approach saves many more lives than screening started at a later age or with less frequent exams.

Project PINK BLUE‎, a cancer nonprofit organization engaged in breast and cervical cancer awareness, will be hosting‎ a PINK OCTOBER WALK, RACE & CYCLING against Cancer ‎on Saturday.

“The decision as to when to start mammograms and how often to get them is really a personal decision between the patient herself and her personal healthcare provider”, Koivunen said. They do it to raise money for research, education and advocacy work, but also to increase awareness-because breast cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in Canadian women. “About one in eight USA women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime”.

Every year, the month of October – known as Pink Month – is used for breast cancer awareness and fund-raising‎ to support women battling with breast cancer.

“Every year County Fire participates in the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign as well as the Combined Giving Campaign”, said County Fire Chief Ken Kehmna. Finding breast cancer early can improve the chances that breast cancer can be treated successfully and with more treatment options, less extensive surgery and, ultimately, better treatment outcomes.

The event will feature an educational presentation on new technology in mammography called tomosynthesis, a testimonial from a recent breast cancer survivor, lunch, giveaways, door prizes and motivation and relaxation methods.

ACS offers a free screening reminder to help busy women keep in mind to schedule mammograms and breast exams. They pick up all but maybe 10 percent of early breast cancers.