News
Henry Medical Center Hosts Successful Breast Health Program
11/2/2009
Henry Medical Center’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign aims to increase awareness of the importance of breast screenings and demonstrated its dedication to reduce breast cancer deaths in the community through its early detection Breast Health Program held Tuesday, October 20, 2009. The program was a collaborative effort between Henry Medical Center, Henry County Health Department, Hands of Hope Clinic, and the American Cancer Society.
Fifty-nine women attended the Breast Health Program. Depending on each woman’s need, she received either a referral to the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (BCCP) or a screening mammogram certificate from Henry Medical Center and a clinical breast exam performed by Henry County Health Department nurses. Women who qualified for the BCCP program were eligible for a mammogram, pap smear, and follow-up by the Henry County Health Department. Women who did not have a physician were able to schedule an appointment with the Hands of Hope Clinic to ensure proper follow-up by a physician. Of the women who elected to receive a clinical breast exam, several were referred to physicians for a follow-up appointment due to suspicious findings.
In 2009, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be 192,370 new cases of breast cancer in women in the United States. Of those new cases, 5,370 will affect women in Georgia and 1,130 of these cases will be fatal.
Breast cancer death rates have been on the decline for the past two decades in part due to the rising awareness of the importance of early detection and improved treatment options. The American Cancer Society recommends the following screening guidelines for breast care.
• Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40.
• Clinical breast exam should be part of a periodic health exam about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and older.
• Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam is an option for women starting in their 20s.
• Screening MRI is recommended for women with an approximately 20% to 25% or greater lifetime risk of breast cancer, including women with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer and women who were treated for Hodgkin’s disease.
###
