Nearly 6,000 Georgia women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society. Of those, 1,100 will die from the disease.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital has teamed with WXIA-TV, 11Alive, to educate women about the importance of early detection for breast cancer through the Buddy Check 11 program. The partnership aims to encourage women to undergo routine mammography screenings, monthly breast self-exams and annual clinical breast exams.

The Buddy Check program is simple. Find a buddy and mark your calendar for the 11th of each month. Your buddy can be a family member, friend or co-worker. On the 11th, call or email your buddy and remind her to do a breast self-exam.

“Early detection of breast cancer saves lives,” said Debora Coursey-Prah, M.D., medical director of Piedmont Fayette Hospital’s Women’s Imaging Services and a board-certified radiologist. “Routine self-exams, mammograms and clinical screenings lower the number of deaths caused by breast cancer. It’s the best action that women can take to detect breast cancer in its early stages when the disease is most treatable.”

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but there are steps women should take year-round to stay healthy:

· If you are a woman over the age of 40, you should undergo an annual mammogram. This diagnostic screening looks for any abnormalities, or problems, with a woman’s breasts. The test uses a special x-ray machine to take pictures of both breasts. The results are recorded on film and then examined by licensed health care providers. Physicians search for breast lumps and changes in breast tissue that may develop into problems over time.

· Women who have had breast cancer or breast problems, or those with a family history of early breast cancer, should start mammograms at a younger age. Consult with your health care provider to determine a screening plan that is right for you.

· All women should conduct monthly breast self-exams beginning at the age of 20. Regardless of your age, if you find a lump or notice changes in your breast, talk to your health care provider immediately.

“Fear of the results, or fear of the exam itself, often prevents women from getting yearly mammograms,” Dr. Coursey-Prah said. “Don’t let denial prevent you from seeing your healthcare provider for breast problems or for new findings from your breast self-exam.”

Piedmont Fayette Hospital’s Women’s Imaging Center provides a range of women’s health services, including screening mammography, breast biopsies, breast ultrasounds, diagnostic mammography and bone density screenings.

The Women’s Imaging Center’s mammography services are certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and accredited by the American College of Radiology. The Center’s team of board certified radiologists and mammography technologists are committed to providing compassionate care. The facility boasts the latest equipment and techniques to achieve early diagnosis and optimal treatment.

For more information about the Piedmont Fayette Hospital Women’s Imaging Center or for a physician referral, call 1-866-900-4321 or visit www.fayettehospital.org.

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