October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, What Hoosiers Should Know
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STATEWIDE–October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Indiana legislators want to remind you that there was legislation passed that improves breast cancer screenings.
State Representative Sharon Negele of Attica says it informs Hoosier women with dense breast tissue of their breast density after a mammogram and gives them all of the appropriate documentation with the information they need.
“We know that women with dense breast tissue are at higher risk for cancer, but these patients aren’t always informed of these risks during their mammogram appointment. This means they may not take additional steps needed to detect or prevent disease. We need to do a better job of ensuring women understand the risks associated with dense breast tissue and work with their physicians to determine the best screening prevention options,” said Negele.
State Representative Lori Goss-Reaves of Marion co-authored the bill with Negele. She encourages Hoosier women to see if they qualify for a low or no cost mammogram at cdc.gov and search breast cancer.
“Many of us know someone who has been impacted by cancer. It can be a devastating and overwhelming diagnosis. This new law will improve screenings and ensure more women are informed of their breast cancer risks,” said Goss-Reaves.
The American Cancer Society says more than 300,000 women and about 2,000 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. More than 42,000 women and 500 men will die from breast cancer in the United States this year.
