OGDENSBURG — The Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center Mammography team work diligently behind the scenes providing nearly 5,000 life-saving mammograms and over 100 breast biopsies annually to women of all ages.

October was National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and hospital officials want to remind people that early detection is the best prevention.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation:

• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. It is estimated that approximately 30% of newly diagnosed cancers in 2021 will be breast cancer.

• 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in her lifetime.

• On average, every 2 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.

• Approximately 2,600 MEN will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2021.

• There are over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

Many different organizations make recommendations about cancer screenings. Insurance companies mainly follow the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), which recommends that women who are 50 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every two years. Women who are 40 to 49 years old should talk to their health care professional about when to start and how often to get a mammogram. Women should weigh the benefits and risks of screening tests when deciding whether to get mammograms before age 50.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends a different screening schedule than the USPSTF), recommending women age 40 to 44 should have the choice to start yearly breast cancer screening with a mammogram if they wish to do so. Women aged 45 to 54 should get a mammogram every year and women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every 2 years or continue yearly screening. The ACS also recommends screening beyond 74 years should continue as long as the woman is in good health and expected to live at least ten more years. Screening MRI is recommended for women at high risk of breast cancer.

Regular screening for breast cancer, including annual mammograms and breast exams, are essential in reducing your risk of getting breast cancer. Most medical professionals agree that regular check-ups and screening tests can find breast cancer at an early stage when treatment works best and offers the best survival chances. Being familiar with how your breasts look and feel can help you notice symptoms of breast cancer. Some signs of breast cancer include a new lump or mass, swelling of the breast, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or retraction, nipple discharge, nipple skin that is red, dry, flaking, or thickened or swollen lymph nodes. Any changes noticed should be reported to a health care provider.