Breast Health By the Numbers (…or Making a Difference: 44,000+ Women at a Time)

Breast cancer has some pretty stark numbers associated with it.

The first you have probably memorized by now: 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Odds like that can scare some ostriches right into a hole in the sand. Pick your head up: early detection saves lives. If caught in the early stages and treated promptly, survival rates can be amazing. To date, we have 2.8 million breast cancer survivors here in the United States.

The key to early detection is knowing your body with self exams, in conjunction with clinical breast exams and annual screening mammograms. But here in the United States, only about half of eligible women are currently getting their annual mammograms. Together let’s change that number!

In Kansas City this past year at our offices, we were able to help more than 44,000 women on the road to their best possible health. Over 44,000 women came through our clinic doors for their screening mammogram in the past year. Some of these women were anxious first-timers; others were old-pros coming back faithfully every year; some were breast cancer survivors, coming back to continue their fight; a few were new breast cancer survivors. To all of these 44,000 plus women we say, thank you.  Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your care and your quest for best possible health. This year, let’s increase those numbers – schedule your mammogram with your mom or best friend – or send them a reminder to do it if you can’t be there in person.  Working together, we can increase those numbers so all receive the screening that can save lives.

Originally published 1/15/14 on mammographykc.com.