Article submitted by Kathy Woodham

October is a beautiful month full of crisp air, swirling leaves, and colorful hues of orange, yellow, red and yes, even pink! To recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October is also known for pink—pink ribbons, pink T-shirts, pink jewelry, even many water fountains flow a bright pink to raise awareness of the importance of mammograms to screen for breast cancer.

For most women, there is one major concern especially when talking about the leading health issues facing women – breast cancer. National statistics show that about 1 in 8 U.S. women (just under 12 percent) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. With breast cancer the second leading cause of death in women between the ages of 40 and 55, all women over 40 should be screened annually.

• According to the American Cancer Society, in 2016, it is estimated that among U.S. women there will be 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 40,450 breast cancer deaths.

• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. (Only lung cancer kills more women each year.) The chance that a woman will die from breast cancer is about 1 in 36 (about 3 percent).

• Women ages 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms (x-rays of the breast) if they wish to do so.

• Women age 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.

• Women 55 and older should switch to mammograms every two years, or can continue yearly screening.

• Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer.

• All women should be familiar with the known benefits, limitations, and potential harms linked to breast cancer screening. They also should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast changes to a health care provider right away.

• Women 20-39 should obtain a clinical breast exam by a healthcare professional every three years and perform monthly breast self-exams.

• Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast changes to a health care provider right away.

St. Luke’s Hospital provides digital mammograms in a calming sensory-surround environment. To schedule an annual mammogram, call St. Luke’s Hospital’s Radiology Department at 894-3525 ext. 3590. Everyone who receives a mammogram at St. Luke’s Hospital’s during October will receive a free gift and will be entered to win a beautiful gift basket filled with lots of pink surprises!