October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Early detection is key to surviving breast cancer.

Protect yourself with three easy steps:

1. Annual mammography (Starting at age 40) – If you have a family history of breast cancer or other concerns, check with your trained medical professional. S/he may advise you to start getting mammograms at an earlier age.
2. Clinical Breast Exam (Starting at age 20) – You should have a clinical breast exam by a trained medical profession at a minimum of every three years before age 40 and annually thereafter.
3. Monthly Breast Self Exams (Starting at age 20) – It is important to examine your breasts monthly. View an excellent multimedia demonstration on how to do a breast self-exam English | Spanish (Adobe Flash required)

Practice these steps and spread the word to those you love!

Worried you won’t remember? Komen Greater NYC can help. Sign up for our annual mammogram and breast self exam reminder today!

Did You Know That...

• Breast cancer knows no boundaries - not age, gender, socio-economic status or geographic location
• The greatest risk factors for breast cancer are being female and growing older.
• One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
• In 2008, more than 170,000 people will be diagnosed; 40,000 will die.
• Underserved populations - racial and ethnic minorities and those with little or no access to health insurance - are less likely to have regular screenings, therefore their cancers are often diagnosed at later stages, increasing their mortality risk.

Learn More

• Breast self exam
• Local resources
• National resources
• Breast cancer terms
• Books & multimedia