Today is National Mammography Day

As part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Friday, Oct. 19 has been declared National Mammography Day.

Some radiologists will be providing discounted or free mammograms. Visit the website www.nbcam.org for a list of facilities or additional information on this program.

Mammography is the best available method to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage – an average of one to three years before a woman can feel a lump. Mammography also identifies cancers too small to be felt during a clinical or self breast examination.

The statistics support the Public Health Director’s concern. Nationally, 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer in women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in Hispanic women and the second most common cause of cancer death in White, Black, Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native women. Locally, 650 women in the greater Manchester area were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during 2004-2008.

“Breast cancer is not just a woman’s disease,” Manchester Public Health Director Timothy M. Soucy noted, “because men and children and whole families are devastated when breast cancer takes a loved one.

“There is no better time than October, during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, for residents to talk with their health care providers about maintaining their breast health, seeking mammography, and encouraging their loved ones to do the same.”

The U.S. Preventive Health Task Force recommends that women aged 50-74 years be screened for breast cancer by mammography every two years. The NHDHHS Division of Public Health Services “Let No Woman Be Overlooked” Program provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings to women who meet screening guidelines, live in NH, are between 21-64, are uninsured or underinsured, and have limited income. To determine if you or someone you know is eligible, please call 1-800-852-3345, extension 4931 or visit the NHDHHS website at www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdpc/bccp/index.htm.

Submitted by the City of Manchester Health Department.