Mammograms available each Friday this month Published Oct. 8, 2010 MAXWELL-GUNTER AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Its purpose is to educate women about the importance of early detection for breast cancer. Since NBCAM's inception, mammography use has doubled, and breast cancer death rates have declined. Still, many women do not utilize mammography at regular intervals. Mammography is the best available method of detecting breast changes that may be cancer, long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt. The most recent estimates from The American Cancer Society indicate that this year in the United States, 261,100 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed and about 39,840 people will die from breast cancer. Breast cancer deaths could decline further if all women age 40 and older received mammograms at regular intervals. The Maxwell Air Force Base Mammography Department is an FDA-regulated program. It offers routine screening mammograms yearly to patients 40 and over. Several days per week, a breast care radiologist runs a problem-solving clinic for patients with abnormal findings during their own self-checks and clinical breast exams. Every Friday this month from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Mammography Clinic will be offering walk-in mammograms for patients that are due or have fallen behind for their yearly screenings. There will be no appointment necessary for this Friday offer. To schedule an appointment for another day or to check the date of a previous mammogram, call 953-7881. Every mammogram patient in October will receive a gift. Article courtesy of the 42nd Medical Group