October 19, National Mammography Day

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. October 19, National Mammography Day. Remind a friend to have a Mammogram. Pass it Along.

Information obtained from the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Understanding Mammograms

A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast used to look for early signs of breast cancer. Regular mammograms are the best tests doctors have to find breast cancer early. When breast cancer is found early, many women go on to live long and healthy lives.

Women should have mammograms every two years from age 50 to 74 years; and more often if breast cancer runs in the family or you have any symptoms or changes in your breast.

To find out where you can get a mammogram, the CDC has provided the following resources.
· If you have a regular doctor, talk to him or her. 
· Call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service (CIS) at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). For TTY: 1-800-332-8615. 
· For Medicare information, you can call 1-800 MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 
· The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a program called the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program,which works with health departments and other groups to provide low-cost or free mammograms to women who qualify. Find out if you qualify.