October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Mammograms will be at the wellness Center
​NEXT Month On November 25 and 26!
call 360-645-2233 or 360-645-2075 to schedule a mammogram appointment 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease.

There are about 1.38 million new cases and 458 000 deaths from breast cancer each year (IARC Globocan, 2008). Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and developing countries. In low- and middle-income countries the incidence has been rising up steadily in the last years due to increase in life expectancy, increase urbanization and adoption of western lifestyles.

Currently there is not sufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer, therefore, early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detected early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured. If detected late, however, curative treatment is often no longer an option. In such cases, palliative care to relief the suffering of patients and their families is needed.

The majority of deaths occur in low- and middle-income regions, where most women with breast cancer are diagnosed in late stages due mainly to lack of awareness on early detection and barriers to health services.  

October 17th is Indigenous Pink Day! Click here to learn more from the American Indian Cancer Foundation.

Learn from the wisdom of our Native breast cancer warriors. Read their survivor stories here. 

STIHC is fighting the breast cancer statistics by bringing mammograms to Neah Bay!
​Mammograms will be at STIHC's Wellness Center on November 25 and 26. Call 360-645-2233 or 360-645-2075 to make an appointment. ​