Press Releases
10/18/2024
Connecticut Department of Public Health recognizes National Mammography Day, Friday, Oct. 18
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 18, 2024
CONTACT: Chris Boyle, Director of Communications
(860) 706-9654 – christopher.boyle@ct.gov
HARTFORD, Conn— National Mammography Day is recognized across the country on the third Friday of each October to increase breast cancer awareness and promote mammogram screenings for the early detection of breast cancer. In conjunction with National Mammography Day, Oct. 18, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) is urging women to talk to their healthcare providers to determine if scheduling an appointment for a mammogram is right for them.
Mammogram screenings are x-ray exams used to detect breast cancer in women who may not show or be aware of breast cancer symptoms. This year, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) changed the breast cancer screening recommendations: The USPSTF now recommends that all women get screened every other year starting at age 40.
“Early detection is the best defense against cancer for all women, and regular mammograms are still the best route to find breast cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “It is important to talk to your doctor about the benefits of mammogram screening. By continuing to get screened, you also can be a role model for younger women in your family and community.”
Breast Cancer Statistics in Women
The American Cancer Society estimates more than 42,250 women in the United States will die this year from breast cancer and that more than 420 will be right here in Connecticut. There are more than four million women with a current or past history of breast cancer. These numbers warrant attention because when detected early, a woman’s chance of surviving breast cancer increases. Breast cancer screening exams can help detect the disease at its earliest stages of development, often resulting in less aggressive treatments and ultimately saving lives.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women of all races and ethnicities. In 2022, Connecticut ranked fourth in the nation for breast cancer screening rates in women 40 years and older (76.2%), which is higher than the national rate of 70.2%; 81.7% of women in Connecticut aged 50-74 reported that they had a mammogram within the preceding two years, versus 76.3 in the U.S. In 2021, the Connecticut incidence of breast cancer was 157.9 per 100,000 women – the highest rate in the U.S. (U.S. rate 133.8/100,000).
The 2020 Connecticut breast cancer mortality rate was 16.2 per 100,000 women – compared to the U.S. rate 18.7/100,000). [Source: State Cancer Profiles] These rates highlight the importance of detecting breast cancer early when treatments are more effective.
Screening services for women in Connecticut
The DPH Connecticut Early Detection and Prevention Program (CEDPP) has provided outreach, education, screening, diagnostic, and treatment services for breast and cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, and heart disease to low income, uninsured, and under insured Connecticut residents since 1995. The program uses a holistic approach to care, seamlessly integrating multiple programs to provide all the screening, diagnostic, and navigation services in a single CEDPP enrollment.
What if you cannot afford a Mammogram
CEDPP provides no-cost breast cancer screening and receives funding from State Administrative funds and a grant from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). The program started a new five-year cooperative agreement with the CDC on July 1, 2023. During the previous five-year grant, the program provided many no-cost services, including more than 11,908 mammograms, to Connecticut’s low-income women who are under/uninsured.
Calendar Year 2019: 2,668 mammograms, 2,563 pap tests, and 2,121 HPV tests performed.
Calendar Year 2020: 1,881 mammograms, 1,581 pap tests, and 1,344 HPV tests performed.
Calendar Year 2021: 2,602 mammograms, 2,344 pap tests, and 1,983 HPV tests performed.
Calendar Year 2022: 2,649 mammograms, 2,582 pap tests, and 2,256 HPV tests performed.
Calendar Year 2023: 2,751 mammograms, 2,800 pap tests, and 2,456 HPV tests performed.
CEDPP services are offered at 21 hospitals, 40 Federally Qualified Health centers, and 15 Planned Parenthood clinics throughout Connecticut, with more than 4,800 residents screened annually for breast cancer and a total of more than 90,900 residents screened since the program’s inception. Women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer are fast tracked for treatment under the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act. CEDPP employs the services of Community Health Workers and patient navigators to engage residents and provide cancer outreach and education in populations of focus to promote screening and overcome barriers to healthcare access.
If you need assistance obtaining a mammogram, go to https://portal.ct.gov/dph/cedpp or call (860) 509-7804 for more information
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