National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Every month of October since 1985 has been known as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Over the course of this month, many organizations and individuals will come together to spread knowledge and awareness of breast cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, as well as provide support to those who have been affected by breast cancer and to celebrate the tenacity and resilience of breast cancer survivors.
Because of the relatively common occurrence of breast cancer, many people have a personal connection to its effects through a diagnosis of a friend, a family member, or themselves. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women of all races and ethnicities.
There are several steps one can take to minimize the risk of a breast cancer diagnosis, including regular exercise, a balanced and healthy diet, and avoiding exposure to radiation or carcinogenic chemicals such as smoking.
Perhaps even more important to reducing the potential impact of breast cancer, however, is getting screened for it regularly.
The United States Preventative Services Task Force recommends that any woman over 40 ask a doctor about breast cancer screenings, and that women between 50 and 74 undergo a mammogram or breast MRI once every two years at minimum.
Early detection of breast cancer can be life-saving, as catching the disease earlier reduces the severity of treatments and increases survival rates, as well as the chances of it spreading to other parts of the body.
According to the American Cancer Society, those who detect breast cancer in its early stages have a near 100% survival rate, as well as a 50 to 75 percent higher rate of survival than those who detect it later.
CORA offers breast screening services including 3D digital mammographyand breast MRI, as well as a full complement of imaging services specifically for women’s health.
The 3D digital mammogram, also known as a digital breast tomosynthesis, is a revolutionary new tool that reduces false positive tests by up to 40% as well as increasing the amount of invasive cancers detected by 41%. Making an appointment with the fellowship-trained physicians and technicians at CORA is easy and fast, and same-day appointments are often available.