October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

COURT HOUSE – October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
All women over 40 were urged to schedule a mammogram by Freeholder Gerald Thornton, human services liaison.
He reminded them, in a release, that the Health Department offers free screenings to all those who qualify.
“Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as an important reminder for women, their families and friends about the life saving practice of regular checkups. Take the time now to make an appointment,” he stated.
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 176,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and over 40,500 women will die from breast cancer in 2007.
The lifetime probability of developing breast cancer is one in 8 for U.S. women. Early-stage breast cancer usually produces no symptoms when the tumor is small and most treatable.
The earliest sign of breast cancer is usually an abnormality found on a mammogram before it can be felt by the woman or a health care professional.
Mammography is the single most effective means of finding early breast cancer when treatment is more effective.
Many women fail to get their mammogram because they do not have health insurance. Early detection could save your life and the county Health Department offers free screenings to those who qualify.
“In 2006 the County Department of Health screened 350 uninsured women for breast cancer and our goal for 2007 is 400,” Health Officer Kevin Thomas said.
To accomplish this goal, the county offers free breast cancer screenings to uninsured, qualified women through the NJ Cancer Education and Early Detection (CEED) Program with funding by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the NJ Department of Health & Senior Services.
For an appointment call 609-465-1200. All calls are confidential. The CEED program is supported by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders.