Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S., behind skin cancer, and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in American women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
In an effort to combat breast cancer in the local community, the Nooksack Health Clinic regularly hosts mobile mammogram events. Clinic Manager Andrea Garcia said during the last event in April, 21 women were screened for the disease and each were offered a gift bag, flower, refreshments and educational information for participating.
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. The X-ray images are analyzed for specks that may indicate the presence of cancer.
Mammograms save lives because, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, they are the best way to detect the cancer early – and early detection improves the odds of successful treatment.
While in 2020 still an astounding 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer globally – meaning a woman somewhere in the world received the awful news every 14 seconds – death rates from the disease have declined about 40 percent over recent decades. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation credits that improvement in survival to earlier detection through preventive screening.
Mammograms are a primary screening method. The imaging is recommended annually for women starting between 40 and 50 years of age and, according to the nonprofit research organization Susan G. Komen, has an about 87% success rate. That means the screening accurately detects cancer in seven out of eight women with the disease.
The Nooksack Health Clinic’s next mobile mammogram event is planned for August 18th. Mammograms will be provided by appointment. Call the clinic at 360-966-2106 to book a time.