PINEHURST – October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease and the importance of early detection of breast cancer. While most women are aware that screening is an important part of their health care routine, heightened coverage during the month of October serves as a reminder to make an appointment and access these important services.
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women, affecting one in every eight women in the United States. As with most cancers, the best way to fight breast cancer is to find it early. A mammogram – the screening test for breast cancer – can help find breast cancer early when it’s easier to treat. Starting at age 40, you should talk to your doctor about when to begin screenings.
A mammogram is the most common imaging technique for breast cancer detection. The technology uses a low-dose x-ray of the breasts to find changes that may occur and detects breast cancer before you are able to feel it in a self-examination.
“Mammography can detect non-palpable cancers that would grow for years before they are big enough to feel without mammography,” said Stewart Rasmussen, M.D., a fellowship-trained radiologist with FirstHealth of the Carolinas. “Mammograms save lives. Finding breast cancer early can significantly reduce a patient’s risk of dying from the disease.”
Breast tomosynthesis or 3D digital mammography is offered at Moore Regional in Pinehurst and Lee Campus in Sanford and will soon be available at the other FirstHealth hospital locations.
“Breast tomosynthesis can improve our ability to detect potential breast cancers by helping to pinpoint the size, shape and location of abnormalities, often earlier than with traditional mammography,” said Dr. Rasmussen. “This helps radiologists distinguish harmless structures from tumors, leading to fewer false positives, fewer call-backs and less anxiety for women. This is especially helpful in women with dense breast tissue.”
FirstHealth use wide-angle tomosynthesis technology, which delivers a better 3D image separation of the different tissue layers. Any woman having a mammogram at a FirstHealth facility during October will be given a free pink face mask in honor of breast cancer awareness month.
Schedule your mammogram at FirstHealth today by calling (866) 415-2778 toll-free. For more information about FirstHealth cancer care, visit www.firsthealth.org/cancer.
Interested in joining the fight against breast cancer?
Normally held on the second Saturday in October, the 2020 edition will allow participants to run their own race at their own pace as the area continues to combat the spread of COVID-19. The good news is that the event will still celebrate breast cancer survivors and those in treatment and raise funds to support cancer patients and provide screenings for people who are uninsured or underinsured.
Runners will be able to complete their 8 kilometers however they choose between Oct. 10 and Oct. 18, and all paid registrations will be eligible for a prize drawing on October 19. The $25 entry fee will also include a race T-shirt.
Registration is open, and those interested can visit RunSignup.com to take part. Runners are also encouraged to share training tips and join our 1 in 8K community on Facebook. Registration forms can also be found online at www.firsthealth.org/1in8k.