October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer death rates among women have been decreasing steadily since 1990 due, in part, to progress made in early detection and treatment options. However, as the American Cancer Society recently reported in Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2007-2008, a new problem has surfaced: mammography rates are on the decline and the reasons are not well understood.

With National Breast Cancer Awareness Month now at the forefront, it’s important for you to know how ACS is fighting back against the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women. Throughout October and beyond, ACS and ACS CAN will focus primarily on the importance of yearly mammograms and the need for increased funding for critical screening and treatment programs to help address declining mammography rates and health care access issues.

“There is HOPE in the fight against breast cancer, but we must do more. Encourage the women in your life age 40 and older to get a mammogram every year. For more information about how you can fight back against breast cancer, visit www.cancer.org/breastcancer or call 1-800-ACS-2345.”