Florida Department of Health Promotes Early Detect and Treatment to Fight Breast Cancer
By Space Coast Daily // October 11, 2019
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County (DOH-Brevard) encourages all women to receive regular screenings to promote early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
Important advances have been made through increased awareness, breast cancer screenings and better treatments.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), not counting some kinds of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, no matter a person’s race or ethnicity.
The American Cancer Society estimates 19,130 new cases are expected in Florida this year alone. In 2018, 2,955 women in Florida died from Female Breast Cancer.
What should women do? Make “No excuses, ladies.” Women should talk to their health care provider about their individual risk factors and the frequency of receiving mammograms, as well as complete any recommended mammogram screenings.
Additionally, women can lower their risk as follows:
- Get and stay at a healthy weight
- Be physically active
- Limit or avoid alcohol
- Choose to breast-feed
- Quit smoking and or vaping
The Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (FBCCEDP) provides access to the breast and cervical cancer screenings doctors recommend. The screenings are free or low cost for those who meet the program eligibility requirements.
To see if you qualify, call Sean McGinty or Jennifer Bosland at DOH-Brevard at 321-984-4702. The DOH-Brevard FBCCEDP serves the following counties: Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee.
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