RHHD urges women to seek breast cancer screening services

In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts are urging women to prioritize their breast health. RHHD officials recommend that women 25 and older discuss their breast cancer risk with their healthcare providers and those 40 and older schedule regular breast screenings.

October is dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer, including metastatic breast cancer, and emphasizing the significance of early detection and timely access to quality care.

"Breast cancer screening helps find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat," said RHHD Director Elaine Perry. "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 advises starting breast cancer screening at age 40 and continuing biannually until age 74. This recommendation aims to provide better care for younger women, as data from 2015 to 2019 in the U.S. revealed a 2% annual increase in breast cancer diagnoses among women in their 40s, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.

In 2023, breast cancer claimed the lives of an estimated 43,170 women. Non-Hispanic White women have the highest incidence of breast cancer, while non-Hispanic Black women face the highest mortality rate.

The National Cancer Institute's State Cancer Profile indicates a slight rise in new breast cancer cases in Virginia between 2017 and 2021. The incidence rate in Henrico was slightly above the statewide average.

For those seeking mammography providers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides a search tool by ZIP Code. Additionally, people can locate primary care providers in the Richmond region by clicking here.

The Virginia Department of Health operates Every Woman's Life, a free breast and cervical cancer screening program for uninsured or income-eligible women. EWL eligibility requirements include Virginia residency, age between 18-64, meeting federal income guidelines, and being uninsured. Women aged 18-39 must exhibit symptoms or be considered high risk to qualify. Find EWL providers here.

The EWL program offers a comprehensive range of services, including clinical breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams, Pap tests, and necessary diagnostic tests. Women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through EWL may qualify for Medicaid coverage for treatment.

The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation also supports a Screening and Diagnostic Services Fund, which assists income-eligible, uninsured, and underinsured Virginians with diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, and MRIs.