news release
ANDREW J. SPANO, Westchester County Executive JOSHUA LIPSMAN, M.D., M.P.H., Commissioner of Health SUSAN TOLCHIN, Director of Communications

CONTACT:

MARY LANDRIGAN (PIO)

(914) 813-5000 (After Hours)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 14, 2004

BEAT BREAST CANCER WITH ROUTINE MAMMOGRAMS, BREAST SELF-EXAMS AND PHYSICAL CHECKUPS

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Westchester County women are encouraged to be proactive in protecting themselves from this disease. Routine mammograms, regular breast self-exams and physical checkups are vital to detecting breast cancer early and possibly saving lives. There is no better time to start beating breast cancer than now.

“Mammograms are x-rays of the breasts that are capable of finding tumors as small as peas,” stated Westchester County Health Commissioner Joshua Lipsman, M.D., M.P.H. “They save lives because they can detect breast cancer in the earliest, most treatable stages. Studies have shown that a woman's chance of beating breast cancer is best when the cancer is found early. In fact, 90% of all women who discover breast cancer early go on to be cured.”

All women are at risk for breast cancer and, unfortunately, one out of every nine women will develop this condition sometime during her life. However, by making her health a top priority and embarking on a breast health program today, a woman can greatly reduce her chance of facing a fatal case of breast cancer in the future.

“As women grow older, their chances of developing breast cancer increase,” Dr. Lipsman added. “Over three-fourths of the breast cancer cases diagnosed each year occur in women 50 years and older. Therefore, women 50 years and over should have a mammogram annually.”

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Page 2 Breast Cancer

In addition to mammograms, a complete breast health program includes clinical breast examinations and breast self-examinations. All women, beginning at about 18 years of age, should have their doctor perform a breast exam at their annual checkup.

Breast self-exams play a key role in detecting breast abnormalities. All women should check their breasts every month for lumps, thickening, or other changes. Performing a breast self-exam is easy to do. As a woman becomes familiar with how her breasts feel normally, she will then find it easier to detect any changes that may occur in them.

The Westchester County Department of Health offers low-cost mammograms, free breast examinations by an experienced nurse and instruction on breast self-examination at regularly scheduled clinics throughout the County. If you do not have health coverage, a suggested fee will be determined on a sliding scale based on your income. However, no one will be turned away for inability to pay.

To make an appointment for a breast examination and mammogram, or for information on breast self-examination, please call the Westchester County Department of Health's Breast Health Program at (914) 813-5000.

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