Emporia, VA (November 11, 2011) – According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mammography is the best method of detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages when it is easier to treat and before it is large enough to feel through clinical or self breast exams or has spread outside the breast. The importance of making people aware of breast cancer and breast cancer screening through mammography, is in the statistics. It is estimated that 1 out of every 8 women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Although nearly 40,000 women die annually from breast cancer, the breast cancer death rates have been on a steady declined since 1991. Increased breast cancer awareness, early detections through mammography screening, and advances in the treatment of breast cancer are thought to be the primary contributing factors for these reductions. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that all women begin getting yearly mammograms and clinical breast exams at age 40 (earlier if the woman is considered at high risk of developing breast cancer). ACS also recommends that women between the ages of 20 and 39 have clinical breast exams every 2 – 3 years, and all women over the age of 20 are encouraged to perform monthly self breast examinations.

In recognition of October’s designation as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center had a “Go Pink & Denim Day” to promote breast health awareness on Friday October 21st. For a $5.00 donation, participating employees were allowed to show their support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and wear their favorite pair of jeans to work. Through these efforts, SVRMC staff raised a total of $427.00 that they donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

For more information on breast cancer or the benefits of mammography, contact your primary care provider or Betty Lou Robinson, Mammography Technologist, at 434-348-4836.