National Mammography Day, held on the third Friday of October each year, was first proclaimed by President Clinton in 1993. According to a Society for Women's Health Research poll, breast cancer remains the single most feared disease among women. This Friday, October 18, the Blues continue to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by urging women over the age of 40 to get past their fear of a mammogram exam and taking charge of their personal health. This effort is part of BCBSM’s three-month #kickcancer campaign, stressing the importance of early detection for all forms of cancer. Survival rates for breast cancer patients are dramatically affected by early detection. While most women know that getting an annual mammogram is important, they may avoid or delay having one due to time limitations, perceived discomfort, and even fear that they will, in fact, be diagnosed with breast cancer. We asked Dr. Stull, medical director at the Center for Breast Health at St. Joseph Mercy Health System, what women and men can do to be proactive about breast cancer prevention. Here’s what she had to say.
