North Central Health District

Twiggs County Health Department Hosting Breast Cancer Awareness Event

Posted October 3, 2024 by Michael Hokanson

Breast cancer impacts millions of women and men worldwide, highlighting the importance or regular screening and early detection in saving lives.

As part of the global effort to fight against breast cancer, Twiggs County Health Department will host a breast cancer awareness event Wednesday, Oct. 16, noon to 2 p.m., at the health department at 26 Main St. in Jeffersonville.

The event, in partnership with North Central Health District’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP), will offer free breast exams, breast cancer prevention information, health department service information and giveaways.

“Twiggs County Health Department provides free or low-cost mammograms and pap smears to eligible women,” said Regina King, BCCP Coordinator. “We want everyone eligible to take advantage of these services. Early detection leads to early treatment which saves lives.”

Breast cancer causes the cell in the breast to grow out of control. Second only to skin cancer, breast cancer is one of the leading cancers among American women. 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 US die from breast cancer.

An individual’s risk for breast cancer is determined by multiple factors, but 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.

Whether you are a survivor, a supporter or simply someone who wants to learn more, Twiggs County Health Department wants you to attend this event.

For more information on breast cancer, visit cdc.gov/cancer/breast. To learn more about the health department’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, visit NCHD52.org/BCCP.