National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Brings Mammography Reminder

Since American women began observing October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month 16 years ago, mammography rates for women age 50 and older have more than doubled and deaths from breast cancer have declined by 1.8 percent annually since 1992.

"If all women age 40 and older took advantage of early detection methods -- mammography plus clinical breast exam -- breast cancer death rates would drop much further, up to 30 percent," said Dr. Beverly Collins, Medical Director for Ambulatory Care Projects at Delmarva Foundation. "The key to mammography screening is that it be done routinely -- once is not enough."

National Mammography Day is October 19th. Many mammography clinics around the country are offering reduced-fee screenings throughout the month of October.

For more information, call the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at 800-462-9273, National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations at 888-80-NABCO, National Cancer Institute at 800-4-CANCER, or Y-me National Breast Cancer Organization at 800-221-2141.

For information on Medicare and mammography coverage, call Delmarva Foundation at 800-492-5811.

Other Sources: Delmarva Foundation