News Release
For Immediate Release: October 13, 2009
Contact Person: Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, 301-334-7730
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
All Garrett County Residents Can Play an Important Role
The Garrett County Health Department helps spread awareness about breast cancer on a daily basis. However, during October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Health Department wants to get everyone involved in promoting women's breast health. Every Garrett County resident can take part in this important work by reminding all of the women in their lives about the importance of regular breast screenings.
The Garrett County Commissioners recently signed a proclamation declaring October 2009 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Garrett County.
Pictured above at the signing of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation in the front row are Commissioners Ernie Gregg, Denny Glotfelty and Fred Holliday; standing in second row, left to right are Rodney Glotfelty, Health Officer; Kathy Elliott, Community Outreach Worker; Breast Cancer Survivors Nancy Murphy and Donna Orris; Sharon Rounds, RN; Tina James, BCCP Assistant; Judy Sines, RN; and Christa Moran, BCCP Assistant.
“Since 2002 the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program at the Health Department has helped screen about 400 women per year, and 19 cases have been detected and have gotten into treatment,” said Health Officer Rodney Glotfelty. “The best chance for surviving breast cancer is early detection.”
In addition, the Ruth Enlow Library in Oakland has a special display of books set up for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Approximately 3,660 women in Maryland will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. An estimated 810 women will die because of the disease in 2009. A crucial key to lowering these numbers is through regular breast cancer screenings. Research shows that at least 30% of these breast cancer deaths could be stopped if breast cancer screening guidelines are followed.
Screenings for breast cancer include simple tests such as clinical breast exams and mammograms. A clinical breast exam is performed by a primary care provider and can find breast cancer at an early stage when it can best be treated. A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray picture of the breast. The X-ray pictures can show cancer that is too small for the doctor to feel.
Everyone in Garrett County should take this month to remind their mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters of the following screening recommendations:
There are two screenings tests: a clinical breast exam and a mammogram. You need to have BOTH tests. A clinical breast exam is performed by your primary care provider and can find breast cancer at an early stage when it can best be treated. A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray picture of the breast. A mammogram does not cause cancer. Because the amount of radiation used is very low, the risk of any harm is extremely small. Women in their 20s and 30s should receive regular clinical breast exams. Women need a clinical breast exam and a mammogram every year after the age of 40.
The Garrett County Health Department's Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program pays for eligible women to see their primary care provider for clinical breast exam and mammogram screenings for eligible women who may not be able to afford them. Please call 301-334-7770 for more information.