Over a woman’s lifetime, there is about a 1 in 8 chance she will develop breast cancer and about 1 in every 100 cases of breast cancer diagnosed will be in men. Early detection is key for treatment and recovery. Often, preliminary stages of breast cancer show no symptoms. Mammograms, MRIs, and breast ultrasounds are the main tests used to detect breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month was created to educate people about the dangers of breast cancer, share important statistics, and provide guidance on early detection and prevention. Since 1982, $1.1 billion has been invested in breast cancer research in the United States.
The standard recommendation for breast cancer screening is a mammogram once every other year for women ages 50-74. Women ages 40-49 should discuss with their care team if biannual mammograms are necessary. Men with certain genetic predispositions and family histories of cancer should also talk with their care team about testing. Fortunately, all 99 counties in have breast cancer prevention services.
Iowa’s community health centers participate in the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Grant. This partnership between health centers and Iowa HHS has a goal to increase screening rates for low-income Iowans with an average risk for breast cancer. This initiative will increase access to breast cancer screening and prevention services, while educating Iowans on the importance of early detection.
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