Genesee County Health Department
Better Life Through Better Health
Release
Date:
Immediately
Kill
Date:
Contact
Person:
Dianna LaBonte, R.N.
Genesee County Health
Department
Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Program
Phone:
(810) 237-4571
Fax:
(810) 237-4595
RE:
Minority Cancer
Awareness Week
In
2003, there were 19,574 deaths due to cancer in
Michigan
. Among those, 885 were in
Genesee
County
alone with 145 of those occurring among minorities. During National
Minority Cancer Awareness Week,
April 17-23, 2004
, the
Genesee
County Health
Department announces its participation in the campaign to decrease cancer among
minorities. To help achieve that goal, the Genesee County Health Department
offers screening services through its Breast and Cervical Cancer Control
program.
Among Hispanic women, the number of new cases of cervical cancer has been
consistently higher at all ages than for other women. Although breast
cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women, African
American women are 30% more likely than Caucasians to die from breast cancer.
Early detection plays an important role in breast cancer survival by increasing
survival rates to 92%. However, even at the same stage of diagnosis,
African American women show lower survival rates. In comparison with
all other racial and ethic groups, American Indian and Alaska Natives have the
poorest survival from all cancers combined.
The County’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) offers FREE
breast and pelvic exams, mammograms and pap smears to all women 40 and over who
meet program qualifications. The program is funded by the Centers for
Disease Control, the State of
Michigan
, the county government, local resources and accepts straight Medicaid and
Medicare Part A.
For
more information or to make an appointment for your life-saving screening,
please contact the Genesee County Health Department at (810) 237-4545.
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