October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and since the program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older and breast cancer deaths have declined.

This is good progress, but still there are women who do not take advantage of early detection and others who do not get screening mammograms and clinical breast exams on a regular basis. For example:

• Women age 65 and older are less likely to get mammograms than younger women, even though breast cancer risk increases with age; and
• Women below poverty level are less likely than women at higher incomes to have had a mammogram within the past two years.

To raise awareness about the importance of screening and to help lower-income women have more access to screening services, local hospitals are planning events to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Carthage Area Hospital (CAH) is having events throughout the month of October, including a kick-off event on Monday, Oct. 3, a screening day on Friday, Oct. 7, a luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 12, and a Think Pink Block Party on Thursday, Oct. 27. For more information about CAH’s events, call 315-519-1530. Lewis County Community General Hospital offered free screenings back in May for Mother’s Day.

Finally, EJ Noble Hospital in Gouverneur is having a free mammography screening day Friday, Oct. 21. Contact the hospital for more information, 315-535-9375.

The key to early detection of breast cancer is that it be done routinely—once is not enough. If all women age 40 and older took advantage of early detection methods, breast cancer death rates would drop much further.

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Just a reminder! My town hall meeting with Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb has been moved to Monday, Oct. 17 from 6:30 - 8 pm. The location also has changed to the Lowville Municipal Building, 5535 Bostwick Street, Lowville. Seating is limited, so RSVP for this Town Hall today by calling my office at 315-493-3909. Then visit www.reformny.org to join nearly 2,500 New Yorkers who support a “People’s Convention”.