October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This Hits Close to Home…

  • When I was 18 years old, my mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Anytime the word “cancer” is mentioned, it is a scary time for a family. However, thanks to great work by so many advocacy groups, my mom was on top of her screenings and caught it early. Her doctors did amazing work, and after several rounds of radiation we were overjoyed to hear she was in remission.

Health Screenings Save Lives!

  • Early detection plays a major role in successful treatment. This spring, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued new draft recommendations for breast cancer screening that, notably, lowered the age at which women should start screening from 50 to 40 years old. From ages 40-74, women are encouraged to get mammograms every other year. If you fall in that age range, please take this opportunity to schedule your next screening!”

Get Screened Today!

  • Screening tests are used to find breast cancer before it causes any warning signs or symptoms. Screening tests can find breast cancer early, when the chances of survival are highest. Most insurance plans cover breast cancer screenings. Contact your doctor or health care provider to schedule a screening. For more information and resources about breast cancer, please visit the Illinois Department of Public Health website at dph.illinois.gov or call Rep. Weaver’s District Office at (309) 204-6514.
  • According to data from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, it is estimated there will be 297,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer among women in the United States in 2023. An estimated 43,170 women will lose their battle with breast cancer in the U.S. this year.