October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

One in 8 women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime based on rates from 2005-07, according to the National Cancer Institute.

McHenry County Department of Health is offering FREE breast and cervical cancer screenings for women between the ages of 35 and 64 who are without health insurance. The screenings are possible through the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, a program funded by the Illinois State Health Department.

In McHenry County, there were 891 newly diagnosed invasive breast cancers among females in 2004-08, as compared with 43,312 cases for Illinois residents statewide.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that aside from nonmelanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States and is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women of all major races and ethnic groups. 

While more women are getting their annual mammograms, many are not. A barrier to getting screened oftentimes is a lack of health insurance. 

Call McHenry County Department of Health’s Crystal Lake office at 815-334-0232 to schedule a screening.

Every woman’s individual risk will vary depending upon factors such as age, genetics, family history, and lifestyle choices. Many of these risk factors are uncontrollable but diet, exercise and the amount of alcohol consumed are all lifestyle choices. 

Choosing to get an annual mammogram is an equally important choice. The American Cancer Society recommends that every woman age 40 and older should get an annual screening mammogram, along with an annual clinical breast exam, in combination with performing monthly breast self-exams. Early detection saves lives.

For more information, visit www.mcdh.info, and click on Personal Health Services.