October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). Since the program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older and breast cancer deaths have declined.

This is exciting progress, but there are still women who do not take advantage of early detection at all and others who do not get screening mammograms and clinical breast exams at regular intervals.

•     Women age 65 and older are less likely to get mammograms than younger women, even though breast cancer risk increases with age.
•     Hispanic women have fewer mammograms than Caucasian women and African American women.
•     Women below poverty level are less likely than women at higher incomes to have had a mammogram within the past two years.
•     Mammography use has increased for all groups except American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but it can be successfully treated. Screening tests can find cancer early, when it’s most treatable.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® recommends that you:

Know your risk
Talk to your family to learn about your family health history
Talk to your provider about your personal risk of breast cancer
Get screened
Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at a higher risk
Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at 20, and every year starting at 40
Know what is normal for you

See your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:

•     Lump, hard knot or thickening
•    Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
•    Change in the size or shape of the breast
•    Dimpling or puckering of the skin
•    Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
•    Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
•    Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
•    New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away

Make healthy lifestyle choices

Maintain a healthy weight

Add exercise into your routine

Limit alcohol intake

For more information about NBCAM, please visit www.nbcam.org; for more info about the Susan G. Komen foundation in SW Michigan, visit www.komenswmichigan.org; and to help fund mammograms for free, visit www.thebreastcancersite.com. Each time you click on the ribbon (once per day) you help fund free mammograms.