Health Department Encourages Breast Cancer Screenings

The Prince George’s County Health Department is doing its part to encourage breast cancer screenings and awareness in the month of October.

“Early screening and diagnosis is critical in the treatment of breast cancer,” said Pamela Creekmur, a health officer with the county health department, in a press release.

According to the release, around 4,700 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Maryland this year, and more than 800 women in the state will succumb to the disease. Studies show that 30 percent of breast cancer deaths could be avoided if women followed the screening guidelines below:

• Women ages 20-29 should have a clinical breast exam at least ever three years
• Women ages 40 and older should have a yearly clinical breast exam and a mammogram every one to two years

“We encourage all women over age 40 to receive a clinical breast exam and to discuss their breast health with their primary health care provider.  Women 40 and above are additionally encouraged to have annual or biannual mammograms as directed by their healthcare provider, ” said Creekmur in the release.

To encourage screening in vulnerable populations, the county health department offers free mammograms and clinical breast exams to women over 40 who are unable to afford these early interventions. 

For more information on free screenings, contact the Prince George’s County Breast and Cervical Cancer Program at 301-883-3525.