October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
McHENRY COUNTY — The McHenry County Department of Health and the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP) would like to remind women of the importance of breast cancer screenings. Cancer won’t wait, and neither should you.
Except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. However, breast cancer can be successfully treated if it is detected while in its earlier stages. Routine mammograms and breast exams can detect cancer early and provide women with better treatment options and results.
Every woman should be informed about her own risk and the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Aside from getting yearly screenings to detect an abnormality, it is important for each woman to know what is normal for her and to report any new lump or any of the following symptoms to her health care provider right away:
- Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no lump is felt)
- Skin irritation or dimpling
- Breast or nipple pain
- Nipple retraction (turning inward)
- Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
- Nipple discharge (other than breast milk)
The risk for some women may be higher because of age, family history, race and ethnicity and lifestyle choices. The earlier the cancer is detected, the more options there are for treatment, and the better the chances for survival.
You may be able to receive free services through MCDH’s IBCCP if you are:
- Living in McHenry County
- Without insurance, underinsured or have a high deductible
- 21 to 64 years old (younger women may be eligible in some cases)
To schedule a free mammogram, please contact the IBCCP program at (815) 334-0232 located at 100 N. Virginia Street, Crystal Lake. To learn more about mammograms, visit the CDC’s website. Additionally, MCDH staff with IBCCP will be handing out information and be available to answer questions about the IBCCP program during the Care4 Breast Cancer Hybrid 5K on Sunday, Oct. 16, at Woodstock North High School, 3000 Raffel Road in Woodstock.
