Westchester Reporter

The Westchester County Health Department is reminding residents that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This period serves as a prompt for women aged 40 and above to schedule screenings with their healthcare providers, understand their risk factors, and determine if they need earlier and more frequent mammograms or additional screenings.

Breast cancer ranks as the second most common cancer among American women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although most cases are diagnosed in women aged 50 and older, about 10 percent of new breast cancers occur in women under 45. Therefore, younger women should disclose any family history of breast cancer to their doctors and discuss their risk factors.

Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler stated: “Although we cannot control our age, family history, height or ethnicity, to reduce our risk of developing breast cancer, women ages 40 and older who are at average risk should have mammograms every year or two, as their doctor recommends. Women at greater risk need more frequent screening.”

The CDC advises maintaining a healthy weight after menopause, being physically active, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and not taking hormone replacement therapy containing both estrogen and progesterone for more than five years as preventive measures.

Symptoms of breast cancer may include changes in the size or shape of the breast, pain in any area of the breast, discharge from the nipple or a new lump in the breast or underarm. Any such changes should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately.

For more information on breast cancer screening and support in Westchester:

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