Latimer Reminds Harrison Constituents that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, State Sen. George Latimer (D-Westchester) issued a reminder Tuesday to women over 40 to begin screening and mammograms to protect their health and ensure early detection.

According to government statistics, each year more than 200,000 women in the U.S. get breast cancer and more than 40,000 women die from the disease. In New York, 15,000 women are diagnosed each year, and 2,600 die from breast cancer.

While breast cancer is known to occur in men it is not very common. Less than 1 percent of breast cancers occur in men.

Breast cancer is most frequently found in women who are 50 years old or older, but also affects younger women; 10 percent of all new cases of breast cancer in the United States are found in women younger than 45.

“While science continues to search for the causes of breast cancer, from genetic to environmental factors, one thing is certain – the ability for early detection of breast cancer is better than it has ever been,” Latimer said. “Getting checked is one of the best things we can do.”

Latimer noted that reduced cost screening and even mammograms are often available. He urged women to contact the American Cancer Society and Planned Parenthood if they need assistance with reduced cost breast cancer screening.

Image via National Breast Cancer Foundation