May 5 , 2006

Jacobs Encourages Nassau’s Women to Get a Mammogram for Mother’s Day

Mineola, NY—Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (Woodbury) announced today that the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline is reaching out to New Yorkers asking them to urge their loved ones to get mammograms.

"I encourage all our residents not to forget about the importance of mammograms this year when thinking about what to get for Mother’s Day for the important women in their lives,” said Presiding Officer Jacobs.  “Urging your loved ones to get a mammogram is giving them the gift of good health. I cannot think of a better, more loving gesture in honor of Mother’s Day.”

Unfortunately, more than a third of breast cancer survivors gradually stop getting annual mammographies, according to a new study reported in Cancer, a medical journal published by the Atlanta-based American Cancer Society.  The study found just 63 percent of women were getting annual mammographies five years after breast cancer surgery. 

It is reported that about 2.3 million U.S. women have been treated for breast cancer, and they are considered to be at three times the risk for tumors in the other, unaffected breast than women with no such medical history.

The American Cancer Society recommends all women 40 and older get an annual mammography, the procedure for taking an X-ray of the breast. But studies have shown only about 58 percent of women over 40 actually do.

“Around Mother’s Day we remind women about the importance of getting mammograms once a year, doing a breast self exam and having their breasts examined regularly by a medical professional, said Hillary Rutter, the director of the breast cancer program.  “Our motto is: ‘When you take care of yourself, you’re taking care of your family.’”

For more information and to locate an accredited mammography facility nearby, call the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program at 1-800-877-8077.  Callers with limited income can also find out about low cost and free mammograms though the hotline.  You can also visit www.adelphi.edu/nysbreastcancer.

The hotline has been in existence for 25 years. It is a project of the Adelphi University School of Social Work on Long Island and is funded by the New York Sate Legislature, Department of Health, grants and contributions. All services are free.