October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Florida Department of Health encourages all women to receive regular screenings to promote early detection and treatment. 

Aside from non-melanoma skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Survival rates have increased over the last decade, but early detection continues to be critically important. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk of breast cancer increases with age. Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early, when treatment is more effective. Women should talk with their health care provider about individual risk factors and the frequency of receiving mammograms.

The Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (FBCCEDP) provides access to the breast and cervical cancer screenings doctors recommend. The screenings are free or low cost if you meet program eligibility requirements. For more information and resources visit our breast cancer homepage. 

Read the Breast Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation from Governor Rick Scott.