“Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win.” – Bernadette Devlin
In today’s world, almost everyone has been affected by cancer someway, somehow. It is important to bring awareness to cancer, and educate ourselves and others on how to prevent cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer death among women in the world. It is crucial to continue efforts to bring awareness, educate, continue medical advancements and screen to continue to add to the 3.3 million breast cancer survivors that are alive today in the United States.
To reduce one’s risk of developing breast cancer, the Mayo clinic suggests:
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Quit smoking
• Control your weight
• Be physically active
It is also important to do the following according to American Cancer Society:
• Receive a mammograms starting at the age of 40, especially if at high risk.
• Clinical Breast Exam: Every three years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and older.
• Breast Self-Examination: Monthly self-exams for lumps, thickness, discharge and other abnormalities.
According to National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. This year alone, there is an estimated 252,710 women and 2,470 men who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States alone. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest U.S. Cancer Statistic Report showed New Jersey’s cancer rates were higher than the national average, but due to access of treatment has fewer deaths from cancer.
As an initiative to make sure everyone has equal access to cancer screenings and education, New Jersey and Center for Disease Control and Prevention has funded NJCEED, New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection. NJCEED is a program that offers free breast, colorectal, prostate and cervical cancer screenings to individuals who cannot afford their deductible or co-pay, or do not have insurance. There is a NJCEED in every county in New Jersey. Cape May County Department of Health is proud to have hosted NJCEED since 1996. The Cape May County Department of Health is located at 6 Moore Rd., Cape May Court House, off exit 11 on the Garden State Parkway. If you have any questions, or would like to make an appointment for Cape May County NJCEED, call (609) 465-1047 for English or (609) 465-6840 for Spanish. For more information on other programs that are offered at Cape May County Department of Health, visit www.cmchealth.net and like us on Facebook.
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