Montana VA recognizes breast cancer awareness month
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
News from Montana VA
MONTANA — With over 9,100 female veterans in Montana, the Montana VA Health Care System is encouraging veterans to be proactive with breast cancer screenings during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“Women have a larger presence in our military than ever before,” said Sue Calentine, MTVAHCS’s Women Veteran Program Manager. “Women also have a one in eight chance of developing breast cancer. That said, preventative screenings are the best option to identify breast cancer and also increase survival rates with early detection.”
The overall five-year survival rate from breast cancer is nearly 90 percent. If the cancer is caught while it is still located only in the breast, the survival rate increases to nearly 99 percent. Both men and women can develop breast cancer, though male breast cancer is rare. In women, breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death.
Routine screenings can often find breast cancer early and make treatment more successful.
MTVAHCS shares these screening tips for women age 40 and up:
1. Women who have a family history of breast cancer should speak with their provider to understand how often to get screened.
2. Women ages 40 to 44 who are at average risk for breast cancer should start breast cancer screening with a once-a-year mammogram. By age 45, all women should receive annual mammograms.
3. At age 55, women can have mammograms every two years, or they can continue yearly screening.
4. Patients should share any changes they notice in their breast health with their provider as early as possible.
5. Women can reduce their risk of breast cancer by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol consumption and not smoking.
The MTVAHCS has a Women Veteran Program Manager to help Veterans access their VA benefits and healthcare services. Female veterans should call Sue Calentine at 406-438-1684 with any questions.
