Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Early Detection Saves Lives!
Contributed by Andrei Chakine
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a global campaign to increase awareness about this prevalent disease. Breast cancer affects millions of women worldwide. Early detection, often through screening, increases the chances of successful treatment and can save lives.
Understanding Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. It can affect both men and women, but it's far more common in women. Regular self-examinations and routine screenings can help in the early detection of breast cancer.
Importance of Regular Screenings
Mammography remains one of the most effective screening tools. It can detect breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt. Women are encouraged to discuss with their healthcare providers about the right age to start and the frequency of mammograms.
Mammography Screenings
Sometimes, Alaska Health Fair, Inc. (AHF) collaborates with local providers to bring mammography screenings to our health fairs. It's an essential part of our mission to promote health awareness and early detection in our community. We encourage everyone to check our schedule of events at www.alaskahealthfair.org and our Facebook page to see whether mammography screenings are available at a health fair near you.
National Resources
For those seeking additional resources and information on breast cancer, we recommend:
Upcoming Health Fairs
Embrace October’s fall colors with AHF health fairs and affordable blood testing:
Anchorage - 10/1/2023, 12pm-4pm: Make It Alaskan Market, Egan Civic & Convention Center, 555 W 5th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501
Anchorage - 10/3/2023, 8am-12pm: Anchorage Museum Community Health Fair, Anchorage Museum, 625 C St., Anchorage AK 99501 Flu and Covid Immunizations will be available
Anchorage - 10/7/2023, 8:30am-12pm: Enlaces Community Health Fair, Dena'ina Center, 600 W. Seventh Ave., Anchorage AK 99501 Flu & Covid Immunizations will be available
Fairbanks - 10/10/2023, 8am-1pm: Fairbanks Office Draw, 725 26th Ave., Suite 201, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Girdwood - 10/14/2023, 9am-1pm: Girdwood Community, Girdwood Community Center, 250 Egloff Dr., Girdwood AK 99587
Wasilla - 10/14/2023, 8am-12pm: Wasilla Community Health Fair, WASI, 1301 S. Century Cir., Wasilla AK 99654 Flu & Covid Immunizations will be available
Anchorage - 10/18/2023, 7am-10am: Credit Union 1 Community Health Fair, CU1, 1941 Abbott Rd., Anchorage AK 99507
Juneau - 10/20/23, 9am-1pm - Juneau Day 1 Friday, Nugget Mall, 8745 Glacier Hwy., Juneau AK 99801
Juneau - 10/21/23, 9am-1pm - Juneau Day 2 Saturday, Nugget Mall, 8745 Glacier Hwy., Juneau, AK 99801
North Pole - 10/21/2023, 8am-12pm: North Pole Community Health Fair, 301 N Santa Claus Ln. # 2, North Pole, AK 99705
Fairbanks - 10/24/2023, 8am-1pm: Fairbanks Office Draw, 725 26th Ave., Suite 201, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Houston - 10/28/2023, 8am-12pm: Mid-Valley Senior Center, Houston, 11975 W Mid-Valley Way, Houston AK. 99623
Alaska Health Fair, Inc. is a nonprofit delivering health education and affordable blood tests statewide since 1980. Please visit www.alaskahealthfair.org for descriptions of blood tests, event schedule, online appointments, and more.