Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) is encouraging women to be safe and get a mammography screening as part of breast cancer awareness month.
“Early detection is the best defense women have against breast cancer, which is the most common form of cancer among women,” said Senator Fuschillo. “Getting annual mammograms is an important step that women should take to protect their health.”
According to the American Cancer Society, early detection improves the chances that breast cancer can be diagnosed at an early stage and treated successfully. The American Cancer Society offers the following recommendations for early breast cancer detection:
- Women should have annual mammograms once they reach the age of 40.
- Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam performed by a health professional at least once every three years. Women ages 40 and over should have this exam performed every year.
- Breast self exams are an option for women once they reach their 20s. Women who decide to do breast self exams should consult with their doctor or nurse to make sure they are doing it correctly. Women should see their doctor right away if they detect anything abnormal.
Women who have a family history of breast or other correlating factors that could increase their risk of developing breast cancer should talk to their doctor about when to start screening.
Both Nassau and Suffolk Counties provide either free or low cost mammography screenings for women at a variety of locations throughout Long Island. There are also local organizations that provide education and support services to individuals battling breast cancer and their families. If you would like more information about these services, please call 1 in 9: The Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition at 516-374-3190 or the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer and Support Program Hotline at 1-800-877-8077.
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