|
CONTACT: Stephanie Marquis, 608-266-1683
BREAST CANCER DEATH RATES DECLINING IN WISCONSIN, BUT MORE SCREENING
NEEDED
October 17th is National Mammography Day
MADISON - State officials mark National Mammography Day by reporting that breast
cancer incidence and mortality rates in Wisconsin are declining, but some
women are still not getting screened.
"The need for effective and early screening is still very
important," said Secretary Karen Timberlake. "All women,
especially those age 40 and older, should contact their health care
provider to discuss a schedule for mammograms and other breast cancer
screening."
The Secretary noted that between 2000 and 2004, the breast cancer
mortality rate among Wisconsin women overall decreased by an average of
2.3 percent annually. Still, some 770 Wisconsin women died from breast
cancer in 2004, making it second only to lung cancer as a leading cause of
cancer death among women in the state.
Breast cancer is detectable at an early stage by mammograms, and many
more lives can be saved by taking advantage of regular screening. This is
especially critical for those women in populations with higher mortality
for breast cancer, a cancer that can be effectively treated if detected
early. The national five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with
early-stage breast cancer is 98 percent. In 2000-2004, 62 percent of
breast cancer in Wisconsin was detected early.
Timberlake said the Wisconsin Well Woman Program provides mammograms to
women age 45-64 with little or no health insurance coverage. "This
state program is available in all 72 counties and 11 tribal areas,"
Timberlake said.
The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms for women
beginning at age 40, and earlier for those women at higher risk (such as
those with a family history or genetic predisposition for breast cancer).
According to the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, 20 percent of
Wisconsin women aged 40 and older did not have a mammogram within the past
two years.
For more information:
|
