October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual reminder to do a self-check for signs and symptoms, schedule a mammogram and keep in mind those who are fighting breast cancer or have lost their lives to the disease.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual reminder to do a self-check for signs and symptoms, schedule a mammogram and keep in mind those who are fighting breast cancer or have lost their lives to the disease.
Schedule Your Mammogram Today
- Book your appointment online at com/Mammogram
- Choose from five fixed locations: Norton Audubon Hospital, Norton Diagnostic Center – Fern Creek, Norton Breast Health Center – Brownsboro, Norton Healthcare Pavilion and the Derby Divas Breast Health Center at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital.
- Use the Norton Healthcare Mobile Prevention Center — a 40-foot truck that makes stops around the Louisville area.
Commit to Monthly Self-exams
- The best time to do a self-exam is the week after your period ends.
- Begin by standing in front of the mirror with your hands on your hips. Look for any unusual swelling or changes.
- Raise your arms over your head and look for changes.
- Lie down — or in the shower when your skin is more slippery — and use one of these techniques to check for lumps or other changes.
Breast Cancer Fast Facts
- One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
- About 1% of men are diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Early detection reduces deaths from breast cancer.
- Women over 40 should get a mammogram yearly or as directed by your provider.
- Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women.
- Over 3 million people are breast cancer survivors.
How to Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk
- Be active by exercising most days of the week (walking, jogging, yoga, etc.).
- Maintain a healthy weight. Know your body mass index (BMI), and if you are in the obese or morbidly obese range, lose weight.
- Don’t smoke. If you do, stop.
- Limit how much alcohol you drink.
