Raising invasive breast cancer awareness

Sussex County - According to American Cancer Society estimates, 212,900 U.S. women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during 2006. Of those women currently living with breast cancer in this country, approximately 40,970 will not survive the year. Chances of a woman developing invasive breast cancer are one in eight. Breast cancer death rates are declining due to early detection methods, namely mammography. As part of its Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities, Project Self-Sufficiency will offer free mammograms to its clients and a limited number of the general public. Through the generous funds donated by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - North Jersey Affiliate. Skilled professionals from Multi-Diagnostics Services, Inc. will perform mammograms on women over the age of 40 who have not receThe American Cancer Society outlines three steps to early detection that all women should follow. 1. Mammograms should be done every year after the age of 40. However, if there is a history of breast cancer in your family, you may need to start having mammograms earlier, starting at age 35. 2. Breast self-exams should be done every month starting at the age of 20. 3. Clinical (undergoing a doctor’s examination) breast exams should be given every year starting at the age of 20. Combining these three methods gives women the best chance of detecting breast cancer at its earliest stages. In fact, the survival rate for women who detected breast cancer in its earliest stages is over 95%. On Oct. 13, participants will, in addition to receiving a free mammogram, be given instruction in performing breast self-exams .