DOH Leon Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month  

October 8, 2021

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN LEON COUNTY PROMOTES EARLY DETECTION AND TREATMENT TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER

 Tallahassee, FL--In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Florida Department of Health in Leon County (DOH Leon) encourages all women to receive regular screenings to promote early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Important advances have been made through increased awareness, breast cancer screenings, and better treatments.

 “Breast cancer is a disease that will affect one out of eight women in their lifetimes,” said DOH Leon Health Officer Claudia Blackburn. “The good news is that we know that if breast cancer is detected early, it's far easier to cure and much less costly to treat. So, we can save money, we can save lives, and ultimately know we are doing the right thing for the people that we love.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), not counting some kinds of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, no matter a person’s race or ethnicity. The American Cancer Society estimates 20,160 new cases are expected in Florida this year alone.

The CDC recommends regular mammograms and paying attention to the following changes in the look and feel of the breast, including:

• A new lump in the breast;
• A lump that has changed in size;
• A change in the size and shape of the breast;
• Pain in the breast or nipple that does not go away;
• Flaky, red or swollen skin anywhere on the breast;
• A nipple that is very tender or that begins to turn inward; and
• Blood or any other type of fluid coming from the nipple that is not milk when nursing a baby.

For women who are uninsured or who can’t afford screening, assistance is available. The Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (FBCCEDP) funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provides free or low-cost mammograms to women who are residents of Florida between the ages of 50-64 with no insurance and low income.

To learn more about the program please visit:Leon County Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program or call 850-404-6404.

For more information about breast cancer education and outreach in Florida visit:

https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/cancer/breast-cancer/index.html

Finally, the Leon County Board of County Commissioners will issue a formal proclamation recognizing October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month at its regular meeting on October 12 at 3:00 p.m. The proclamation will be accepted by DOH Leon Health Officer Claudia Blackburn. Program coordinators will join Ms. Blackburn and provide brief remarks on the difference early detection makes for women enrolled in Leon County’s early detection program.

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Written by:

Pamela Saulsby | Public Information Officer