We all Play a Significant Role in Ensuring Early Breast Cancer Screenings

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  During this time of the year, we hear heartwarming and inspirational stories of women who have overcome this debilitating disease.

We also hear the “what if” stories of pervasive regrets from women who have put off early and regular breast cancer screenings. 

It’s important for Niagara County women to know that the Cancer Services Program of Niagara County is here as a resource to assist women in finding the courage and strength needed to face the harsh reality of breast cancer. 

No one is exempt.  If cancer strikes, always remember that you are not alone. We are here, ready, willing and able to assist you. However, we are requesting that you do your part in this fight to better your odds of survival:

• You must commit to early detection by setting up an appointment for a mammogram with your doctor.

• Commit to having clinical breast examinations.

• Know your family history with breast cancer and inform your doctor of that history so he or she will be able to better assist you with your health care needs.  Knowledge is power, so use it to your advantage. By informing your doctor of your health risks, he or she will be able to tell you if you need to be screened at an earlier age than normally recommended.

• Be proactive!  If you detect something remotely suspicious, please make an appointment with your doctor immediately. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE.

• Be informed! White women are more likely to receive a diagnosis of breast cancer but African American women have a higher mortality rate.  Asian and Hispanic women are less likely to get breast cancer than White or African American women.

• Men do get breast cancer.  While less than 1 percent of new breast cancer diagnoses occur among men, it is possible for men to develop the disease.  In New York State, about 150 men will be diagnosed with the disease. For males, the lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000.

Routine cancer screenings that lead to early detection and treatment not only contribute to better health care outcomes, they reduce overall health care costs.

About one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. These are wives, mothers, sisters and friends who are loved and needed – women whose lives matter. The Cancer Services Program of Niagara County encourages women everywhere to talk to their doctors about their risk for breast cancer and when to begin screening.

The good news is that women with insurance, even those newly insured through the New York State of Health, are covered for breast cancer screening. The better news is many women without insurance can get a free mammogram by calling us at the Cancer Services Program of Niagara County, an affiliate of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center at (716) 278-4898.

Call us to learn if you’re eligible.  Since our program’s inception, we have helped more than 2,000 women get the cancer screenings they need. If cancer is found, we can also help with enrollment in the New York State Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program to receive full Medicaid coverage during cancer treatment.

Together, we can eradicate this deadly disease if we are vigilant in our efforts to empower women to be educated, informed, encouraged and proactive in our quest to screen as many women as possible. Such vigilance can’t help but have a positive impact on the lives of the women who reside in our Niagara County community.

Renae Kimble is program coordinator of the Cancer Services Program of Niagara County, a Service of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.  To learn more, call 278-4898.