Breast cancer claims more than 40,000 lives every year. Unfortunately, advanced or metastatic breast cancer is not curable; therefore, emphasis must be directed toward early detection. To protect yourself against breast cancer, it is recommended to have your first mammogram by age 40 as well as conducting a self breast exam each month.

According to the American Cancer Society, a woman living in the United States has a 12.3% (1 in 8) lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and women with a family history of breast cancer, especially in a first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter), have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. A woman’s best overall preventive health plan is to reduce her known risk factors as much as possible by avoiding weight gain and obesity, engaging in regular physical activity, and minimizing alcohol intake. Early-stage breast cancer typically produces no symptoms when the tumor is small and most treatable.

It is therefore very important for women to follow recommended guidelines for finding breast cancer at an early stage, before symptoms develop. When breast cancer has grown to a size that can be felt, the most common physical sign is a painless mass. Less common signs and symptoms include breast pain or heaviness and persistent changes to the breast, such as thickening, swelling, redness, and nipple abnormalities such as spontaneous discharge, erosion, inversion, or tenderness. Most importantly, a woman should have any persistent abnormality evaluated by her physician.

Therefore, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Lakewood Hospital is pleased to offer mammogram screening at a reduced rate of $50 to women who have health insurance, but does not cover mammograms. 

Additionally, we also offer the Hope Program that provides free mammograms screenings for uninsured women. This program, funded through a grand from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, will provide mammograms for women aged 40 and older, unless there is a family history of breast cancer. Those patients who require follow-up care may be referred to community partners such as North Coast Health Ministry or the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP), a federally run program.

The Hope Program’s mammogram screenings will be held on October 17 and 24 at Lakewood Hospital. For more information, please call 216.521.6700. 

Click here to watch a video about the Hope Program and mammograms.