Wednesday, October 25, 2000
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Wednesday, October 25, 2000 |
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Government publications available for breast cancer information Every three minutes a woman in the United States learns she has breast cancer. Your best defense against the disease is having all the facts and early detection. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Take the time to get the facts on breast cancer with a new, free package of five publications from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Use "Understanding Breast Changes" to learn about breast conditions that are not cancer and screening methods for the early detection of breast cancer. Find out about the risk factors for breast cancer and NCI's recommendations for screening with "The Facts About Breast Cancer and Mammograms." Use "Mammography Today" and its easy-to-follow question and answer format to learn when you should get a mammogram and what to do if you change mammogram facilities. "FDA Sets Higher Standards for Mammography" tells you how to find a certified mammography facility and how to prepare for a mammogram. Use "Breast Cancer: Better Treatments Save More Lives" to learn about how new drugs and procedures that can help improve the lives of women with this disease. The first step in fighting breast cancer is talking to your doctor about when you should begin having mammograms and how often you should have one. Generally, if you are in your forties or older, its best to get a mammogram every 1 to 2 years. If you're looking for a mammogram facility, make sure the facility you choose has a Mammogram Quality Standards Act certificate that has not expired. This certificate means that your facility undergoes regular inspections and its staff has had special training. After you have a mammogram, be sure to follow up with your doctor and get your results. If you decide to change facilities, be sure to get your original mammograms and bring them with you to your new facility. Find out more with the "Breast Cancer Awareness" package. There are three easy ways to get your free publications: Call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO. That's 1 (888) 878-3256, weekdays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT and ask for the "Breast Cancer Awareness" package. Send your name and address to Breast Cancer Awareness, Pueblo, Colorado 81009. Visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov and read or print these and hundreds of other FCIC publications for free.
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