October 2011

Susan G. Komen for the Cure®is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find cures. After three decades of progress in gaining public awareness and support for the breast cancer movement, we are at risk of losing ground as budget cuts put important programs at risk, people become complacent, and women fail (for a wide variety of reasons) to get life-saving breast screenings and mammograms. A recent nationwide study of 1.5 million women over 40 with health insurance indicates that fewer than 50 percent received regular mammograms, which is particularly alarming because survival rates improve exponentially the earlier breast cancer is detected. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Komen encourages Less Talk, More Action--and Getting Screened! Regular mammography screening tests can help find breast cancer early--when it's most treatable. Visit www.komen.org/GetScreened for more information and to find resources near you.