Heal th and Hnm Servic
secretary Dr. Louis W. Sulliv
recently annC) ced tw e
partDerI betweeD 0DIil
Cancer lDItitute and pti
ganizatio 10 enco V1DI
mammo grapb y among African-
American and panic omen.
The anno ment e
during a pre conference whic
klctec:l off sixth aonual National
. rity CDc:c A are Week
(�rl112-18).
The 0 new padDe hi
highlighted -for playing ignificut
roles in developing Black and
Hilpanic cancer ed cation
�.
"We know that there are spocial
needs in the Bl c and HispaniC
communities. We need to radl
womea about the life-saviDg value of
mammography," Soaetary Sulli�
said.
"The will be about 180,000
new cues of breast' cancer, and
46,000 deatbs, in 1992 in the United
: Brea t' cane
THE NEW Sp . b-language
film n international all- tar
volunteer cast, including: Edwrard
phy
lac American wom n
All Black American Women
Are At Rlsk
Mammography Is Simpl
• Breast cancer Is the leading cause of cancer
death for Black American women.
• All women-are at . for developing breast
cancer, including those with no famBy
history of the disease, and the risk in­
creases with age. On in nine U.S. women. '
will develop breast cancer ..
Early Detection Saves Lives
• A spedal x-ray tedm1que called mammog­
raphy Is the most effectlve way to find
breast cancer In its earliest stages-up to
two years before a lump can even felt
• Up to 90 percent of women whose breast
cancer is found and treated early, before it
has spread beyond the breast, will survive.
Early detection also means that less
extens ve surgery can be used, often saving
the breast itself.
• Two pictures are taken of each breas :--one
from th top and one from the ide. The
breasts are placed between plastic plat
and flattened slightly to get a dear picture.
The procedure may be a little uncomfort­
able, but it is not painful.
The Risk Is Small .
• Th amount of radiation produced by
mammography is extremely 1
• Women can ask their doctors if mammog­
raphy center personnel are well trained,
experienced, and use special mammogra­
phyequipment.
The Exam Is Easy To Arrang
Pharrnacy & Your Health
• The exam should cost between $50 and
150 If cost is a concern, various health
agen organizations, and women's
support groups aaoss th country provi
referrals to low-cost or free mammography
• Doctors can arrange for a mammogram.
Or women can get mammograms at a
local hospital, health clinic, or mobil van.
The fadlity must meet certain quality
. standards.
•
DlIVld N.
Zimmerman
PD,FACA
p.reaId nt
• The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and
12 other leading organizations,
induding the National Medical Associa­
tion (an organ1zat1on of AfrIcan American
doctors) recommend that � at
age 40, women should mammc-
gram evay 1 to 2 and an anmial
exam by a doctor. age
SO, women s1pJ1d have armual mammo-
grams along with til yearly exams
by their doctori. I also reconunends
that all women do monthly breast self­
exams.
• co � mammography
streenin81s becoming m wi read.
Medicare pays a amount tow d
mammography screening for Its ben fida­
nes, Also, more than 30 stat now require
that insurance provid m
form of mammography cov
1 ble