Breast Cancer Awareness Month Observed in Octover; Health Department Urges Women to be Screened

From the Harford County Health Department:

This year approximately 4,880 Maryland women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 820 will die from the disease, making breast cancer the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. One of the best tools available to reduce breast cancer deaths is the screening mammogram. The Harford County Health Department (HCHD) urges women age 40 and over to make time for themselves and make a screening mammogram appointment.

“Every woman is at risk for breast cancer even if she has no family history or other risk factors for the disease. Women who are 40 years and older need to be screened,” says Harford County Health Officer, Susan Kelly. “Women need to make time for themselves and make screening appointments a priority.

Screening saves lives and the Maryland Breast and Cervical Cancer Program in Harford County can help eligible women get the recommended breast cancer screenings.”

Women with health insurance can take advantage of the cancer screening services that are available through health insurance coverage. If a woman has insurance that will not pay for all of the breast cancer tests she needs or if she has no health insurance at all, she may be eligible for screening through the HCHD’s Maryland Breast and Cervical Cancer Program.

For more information, visit the health department’s website at www.harfordcountyhealth.com or call 410-612-1780.