According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Early detection and prevention are important measures against breast cancer.

As part of National Breast Cancer Awareness month, the Southern Humboldt Community Healthcare District and Redwoods Rural Health Center encourages women to perform regular breast self-examinations.

Breast self-examinations, a clinical breast exam, and a mammogram are important tools in the early detection of breast cancer.

Women ages 20 years and older are encouraged to perform breast self-exams at least once per month. Clinical breast exams should be performed by a primary care provider for women between the ages of 20 to 39 once every three years and annually for women 40 years and older.

Mammograms can help reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer among women ages 40 to 70. Mammograms are recommended every one to two years for women between the ages of 50 and 75.

To reduce the risk of breast cancer, we encourage you to maintain a healthy weight, stay physically active, avoid tobacco use, limit your alcohol consumption, and obtain regular health screenings.

For women less than 50 years of age, specific breast cancer risk factors should be discussed with their primary health care provider when determining whether a mammogram is recommended.

Mammography services are now available at the Southern Humboldt Community Healthcare District.

For further information, questions and concerns, or to schedule a mammogram please contact your primary health care provider.