October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The American Cancer Society recommends all women at an average risk for breast cancer begin getting a yearly mammogram at age 45, with the option to start screening even earlier at age 40. To help spread awareness and offer access to resources, Wake County is partnering with organizations across our region to host community events throughout October.

Breast Cancer

According to the CDC, breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. 

The most common kinds of breast cancer are:

• Invasive ductal carcinoma. The cancer cells begin in the ducts and then grow outside the ducts into other parts of the breast tissue. Invasive cancer cells can also spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body.
• Invasive lobular carcinoma. Cancer cells begin in the lobules and then spread from the lobules to the breast tissues that are close by. These invasive cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body.
   

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
Different people have different symptoms of breast cancer. Some people do not have any signs or symptoms at all. Some warning signs of breast cancer are:

• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood
• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast
• Pain in any area of the breast
   

Keep in mind that these symptoms can happen with other conditions that are not cancer.

If you have any signs or symptoms, make an appointment with your healthcare provider right away. Early detection is key in treating breast cancer.

Check out these resources around breast cancer:

• What is a mammogram?
• What are my risk factors?
• How can I reduce my risk of getting breast cancer?
• What treatment is available for breast cancer?
• Living as a breast cancer survivor
   

Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (NC BCCCP)

The North Carolina Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (NC BCCCP) provides free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings and follow-up to eligible women in North Carolina.

Each year, NC BCCCP strives to provide services to more than 12,000 women.

NC BCCCP services are offered at most local health departments as well as some community health centers, hospitals and private physicians’ offices across the state. Approximately 102 local health agencies work in cooperation with physicians, hospitals and other health care facilities to provide services to eligible North Carolina women.

Who is eligible for NC BCCCP?
NC BCCCP provides services to North Carolina women who are:

• Uninsured or underinsured;
• Without Medicare Part B or Medicaid;
• Between ages 40–64 for breast screening services and 18–64 for cervical screening services; and
• Have a household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.
   

BCCCP eligible women may also be eligible for NC WISEWOMAN. WISEWOMAN provides cardiovascular disease screening and helps women to improve their diet, physical activity and other life habits to prevent, delay or control cardiovascular and other chronic diseases.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact:

Jane Riley, BCCP Nurse Navigator
Phone: 919-212-9310 (para español llame al 919-250-3821)
Email: Jane.Riley@wake.gov