Oct. 4, 2019 - The Village’s Public Health Department is participating in Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October by sharing information about local resources available to help fight the disease.
During the month of October, women who live in Oak Park, River Forest or Proviso Township can receive a mammogram for no cost at Rush Oak Park Hospital. To register for your free mammogram, call 708.660.2355.
Rush Oak Park Hospital is also hosting an event titled Evolution of Breast Cancer Screening and Treatment on Friday, October 25 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Rush Medical Office Building. Registration is required, please call 708.660.4636.
Breast cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer in women after skin cancer. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point.
The good news is that most women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. Public health officials recommend that women take the following steps:
- If you are a woman age 40 to 49, talk with your doctor about when to start getting mammograms and how often to get them.
- If you are a woman age 50 to 74, be sure to get a mammogram every 2 years. You may also choose to get them more often.
Officials also recommend women talking to a doctor about their risk for breast cancer, especially if a close family member had breast or ovarian cancer. Doctors can then help decide when and how often to get mammograms.
For more information about breast cancer risk and prevention, visit the American Cancer Society website.
For more information about the Village’s Public Health Department, visit www.oak-park.us/health, email health@oak-park.us or call 708.358.5480.