As October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, approaches its conclusion, the Richmond and Henrico health districts (RHHD) are urging women 25 and older to discuss their breast cancer risks with health care providers. Women age 40 and older are particularly encouraged to undergo regular breast screenings.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is dedicated to educating the public about breast cancer, including metastatic breast cancer, and emphasizing the significance of early detection and access to timely, quality care.

“Breast cancer screening helps find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat,” said Dr. Elaine Perry, director of RHHD. “We encourage people to talk to their health care provider about which breast cancer screening tests are right for them.”

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women begin breast cancer screenings at age 40, continuing every two years until age 74. Recent data from the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates a concerning 2% annual increase in breast cancer diagnoses among women in their 40s from 2015 to 2019.

In 2023, an estimated 43,170 women died from breast cancer. The highest incident rates are found among non-Hispanic White women, while non-Hispanic Black women experience the highest mortality rates.

According to the National Cancer Institute’s State Cancer Profile, the rate of new breast cancer cases in Virginia saw a slight increase between 2017 and 2021.

Richmond’s rate was comparable to the state’s, while Henrico reported a slightly higher rate.

To assist women in accessing screening services, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides a tool for locating mammography providers by ZIP code. Individuals can visit rhhd.gov/connect-pc to find primary care providers in Richmond and Henrico.

The Virginia Department of Health offers the Every Woman’s Life (EWL) program, which provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings for uninsured, income-eligible women. Early detection is crucial, as it reduces death rates, improves treatment options, and significantly increases survival rates.

To qualify for EWL, a woman must be a Virginia resident between the ages of 18 and 64, meet federal income guidelines, and be uninsured. Women age 18 to 39 must either be symptomatic or deemed high-risk for breast or cervical cancer to be eligible. The EWL program includes clinical breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams, Pap tests and any necessary diagnostic tests.

Additionally, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation supports a Screening and Diagnostic Services Fund, which covers diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, and MRIs for income-eligible, uninsured, and underinsured Virginians.

For more information on finding an EWL provider, visit vdh.virginia.gov