The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is encouraging residents to schedule mammograms during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The department highlighted the importance of early detection in improving treatment outcomes for breast cancer.
The American Cancer Society reports that breast cancer makes up about 30% of all new cancers among women in the United States each year, with over 42,000 expected deaths from the disease this year. Early detection through mammograms increases the chances of successful treatment and survival.
“A mammogram can detect breast cancer early, and it can be completed at a low or no cost,” said Ian Kahn, CDPHE cancer program manager and co-chair of the Colorado Cancer Coalition. “This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we encourage women 40 and older to get screened annually; or however frequently your doctor recommends; to help detect this disease early.”
Mammograms are routine screenings that can identify abnormal breast tissue and determine tissue density. If a mammogram shows abnormal results, follow-up tests such as biopsies may be necessary. Nearly all women who find breast cancer early survive for at least five years, according to the department. The National Breast Cancer Foundation states that breast cancer death rates in the U.S. have decreased by 44% since 1989, largely due to increased screenings.
The department advises residents to contact their healthcare provider to arrange a screening, noting that some imaging centers do not require referrals. Free mammograms are available through the Women’s Wellness Connection program for those who qualify, serving individuals aged 21 to 64 who lack health insurance or have limited coverage and meet financial criteria. The program operates at more than 100 clinics statewide.
Additional resources can be found through the Colorado Cancer Coalition and the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website.
