Volusia County, FL - October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Volusia County is urging all women to get regular screenings in order to promote early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, aside from non-melanoma skin cancers. The Volusia County Department of Health (DOH) says that the death rate from breast cancer remains at nearly 20 deaths per 1,000 people in Volusia County. That's why early detection is so important.
Mammograms continue to be the best way to detect breast cancer early and get the most effective treatment if necessary. DOH says that women should speak with their health care provider about individual risk factors and the frequency of receiving mammograms. The risk of developing breast cancer does increase with age.
In addition to regular mammograms, the CDC recommends paying attention to the following changes in the look and feel of the breast, including:
- a new lump in the breast
- a lump that has changed in size
- a change in the size and shape of the breast
- pain in the breast or nipple that does not go away
- flaky, red or swollen skin anywhere on the breast
- a nipple that is very tender or that begins to turn inward
- blood or any other type of fluid coming from the nipple that is not milk when nursing a baby
The
Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (FBCCEDP) provides access to the breast and cervical cancer screenings doctors recommend. The screenings are free or low-cost if you meet program eligibility requirements.
To see if you qualify, call DOH-Volusia at 1-800-226-6110 or call the American Cancer Society National Hotline at 1-800-227-2345 to get more information on the program.
Medicare insurance also provides mammograms to women age 65 and older without a copay. You can call 1-800-633-4227 for information on receiving mammograms through Medicare.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.
