County Health Departments Provide FREE Breast Exams!

North GA - Each October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated to recognize those fighting against breast cancer and to honor those who fought against the disease. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is crucial to remember the importance of early detection and regular breast exams to catch cancer while it can be treated.

Health Departments throughout the North Georgia Health District invite residents to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the following events in which health department staff will provide participants with services, education, and more!

Cherokee County Health Department:  FREE Breast Exams offered from 1 to 4 PM during Breast Health Day on Tuesday, October 15th at the Woodstock clinic (only) of the Cherokee County Health Department, 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188 – (770) 928-0133. Health department staff also plan Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness Program (BCCP) outreach throughout October at the Woodstock Farmers Market, several Hispanic churches and grocery stores, various food pantries, and Goodwill. They will give away t-shirts provided by local sponsors while supplies last. (See image below of local sponsors)

Fannin County Health Department: Breast Cancer Awareness Day, Wednesday, October 30th. Offering FREE Breast Exams from 8 AM to 12 PM at the Fannin County Health Department at 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 – (706) 632-3023. Will also offer breast cancer prevention and detection education to participants, plus free Goodie Bags to participants.

Gilmer County Health Department: Breast Cancer Awareness Day, Thursday, October 24th. FREE Breast Exams will be offered from 8 AM to 3 PM at the Gilmer County Health Department at 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, GA 30540 - (706) 635-4363.

Murray County Health Department: Breast Cancer Awareness Day, Wednesday, October 23rd. Offering FREE Breast Exams from 7:30 to 11:30 AM and from 1 to 3:30 PM at the Murray County Health Department at 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705 – (706) 695-4585. (See image below of proclamation signing)

Pickens County Health Department: Breast Cancer Awareness Clinic, Wednesday, October 30th. Will provide FREE clinical breast exams or mammogram referrals to the public from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Pickens County Health Department at 60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143 – (706) 253-2821.

Whitfield County Health Department: Breast Cancer Awareness Day, Wednesday, October 23rd. Will provide FREE clinical breast exams to the public from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Whitfield County Health Department at 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA 30720 – (706) 279-9600. Will also provide refreshments, goodie bags, and will enter participant names in a drawing for two gift baskets.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect time to get a breast exam. Early detection is the key to surviving breast cancer, so regular exams are important. The sooner breast cancer is found, the sooner treatment can begin.

Breast cancer causes the cells in the breast to grow out of control. Breast cancer is one of the leading cancers among American women, second only to skin cancer. Though much more common in women, both women and men can be affected by the disease. Each year, nearly 41,000 women and 450 men in the U.S. die from breast cancer.

While multiple factors contribute to a person’s risk of breast cancer, the main factor is age. Most instances of breast cancer are found in women over 50 years old. In addition to age, other risk factors include:

• A personal or family history of breast cancer or certain non-cancerous breast diseases
• Having menstrual periods before age 12, which leads to longer exposure to hormones
• Starting menopause after age 55, meaning a longer exposure to estrogen hormones
• Never going through a full-term pregnancy or having the first pregnancy after age 30 raises the risk
• Women who are overweight or obese after menopause have an increased risk
• Drinking, smoking and exposure to radiation or certain chemical may increase the risk of breast cancer

Risk factors like family history and age cannot be changed, but there are some steps a person can take to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise and a healthy diet help to maintain a healthy weight which can lower a person’s risk. Limiting alcohol consumption, eliminating tobacco use and avoiding exposure to radiation and carcinogenic chemicals can decrease the risk. In addition, breastfeeding children can reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.

To learn more about the health departments Breast and Cervical Cancer Program in North Georgia, including qualifications for free services, visit our Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) page. For more information on breast cancer, visit cdc.gov/cancer/breast.

______________________________________________________________________________

Below illustrate just SOME of our Breast Cancer Awareness Month events and activities mentioned above!

Cathy Dodd and Debbie Pearson of the Murray County Health Department witness Chatsworth Mayor Tyson Haynes signing the proclamation declaring October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.