Written by Dr. Deborah Weems
(Friends of Free Clinic Board of Director, Stuber Health Center)
One in eight women will be commonly diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and it is the most common cancer in American women second only to skin cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and promotes screening for early detection of breast cancer before it spreads to other places in the body. Started in 1987, breast cancer death rates have decreased 44% because of improvements in early detection and treatments. When detected early, the chances of survival are nearly 100%.
The American Cancer Society has separate screening guidelines for women based on whether they are at average or high risk for breast cancer. The foundation for all screening for breast cancer is the mammogram. When to start mammogram screening and how often you need to be checked depends on your age and risk factors.
How will you know what screening you need that is best for your health? Your medical provider can evaluate your risk factors and schedule a mammogram. Contact the Stuber Health Center at (816) 233-5188 to make an appointment. Early breast cancer detection saves lives!