BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and legislators are encouraging residents to get tested. 

Breast cancer is estimated to impact one in eight women, along with one in 2,670 men during the course of their lifetime, though ongoing research continues to advance prevention, diagnosis and treatment options, officials said. 

Each October National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed, with numerous events held to raise awareness about the importance of early detection through regular screenings, promoting education about risk factors and supporting those affected by breast cancer. 

County officials said raising public awareness will also help encourage individuals to seek timely mammograms, clinical breast exams and practice breast health awareness, ultimately reducing mortality and improving quality of life. 

Local organizations, such as the Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund, have also proven to be a crucial lifeline to support those undergoing treatment. 

The Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund will celebrate its 25th annual walk on Oct. 3 at the Gouverneur Village Park, with opening ceremonies slated to begin at 10:15 a.m. 

Registration will open at 8 a.m. 

Community members are encouraged to participate, raise pledges and help continue the fund’s mission of easing the financial burden that can accompany cancer treatment and recovery.

Pledge sheets and registration forms are available at gouverneurbreastovariancancerfund.com.

The milestone walk is part of a weekend of events celebrating the organization’s history. A celebration dinner and comedy show will be held Oct. 1 at the Hilton Garden Inn.

The first walk, held in 2001, raised just under $20,000 to help newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with expenses associated with treatment and recovery.

Today, donations help patients in the four-county area with expenses including medical and prescription copayments, insurance costs, travel, utilities and car payments.

Over its history, the fund has assisted more than 1,400 patients and distributed more than 4,000 recovery gift bags.

Organizers say the 25th anniversary walk is an opportunity to celebrate that history while continuing to provide practical support to families facing cancer.

For information about the walk, visit gouverneurbreastovariancancerfund.com.

A mobile mammography bus is also coming to St. Lawrence University on oct. 14 as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, providing free mobile screenings for the community. 

The mobile mammography van is available to women age 40 and older, with or without insurance. The van is equipped with the same state-of-the-art screening technology found in a clinic setting, and images are read by licensed radiologists.

The van includes a reception area, changing area, nursing exam room and imaging room.

“Transportation, lack of insurance and cost continue to be barriers to breast cancer screening,” said Dr. Lisa Lai, co-director of Upstate’s Breast Cancer Program. She said the mobile program works with community organizations to bring screening to women where they live and work and works with programs that can help eligible uninsured women receive screenings at no cost.