Breast cancer awareness month is about to end. While the campaign has been successful, health officials say the myths and fears are still prevalent.
Annual mammograms are vital for early detection of breast cancer.
But health experts say some women are still afraid of them because they believe the exam is too painful or even dangerous.
"There is fear about the amount of radiation that the breast receives and we have very stringent guidelines to minimize patient's exposures,” said Missie Wasiewlewski of Castle Medical Center.
Castle Medical Center nurse Laura Westphal put off getting a mammogram for years until a colleague finally persuaded her.
"She kept insisting and insisting that I go ahead and I have it done. Finally I said okay, had it done and within 24 hours I knew I had breast cancerm” said Westphal.
Many health care workers like Westphal put off getting a mammogram because they don't consider their own health a top priority.
"The things that are important to themselves in their own health tend to fall at the bottom of the list of their to do list. And we see that in women's health,” said Westphal.
Castle Medical Center goes out to the community with breast cancer awareness display to educate the public.
To let them know that women who reach the age of 40 should have mammograms every year. Those with a family history of breast cancer should get them start even earlier.
"Usually between the patient and the doctor they'll determine whether or not between the ages of 26 and 35 if they should start their baseline mammogram,” said Wasiewlewski.
The program also teaches the public about the importance of regular self exams to check for lumps.
It's important to know that men can also get breast cancer and should check for the following symptoms.
"Any dimpling in the skin around that area, the possibility of the nipple might actually invert, a nipple discharge a lump most definitely,” said Wasiewlewski.
Statistically, it's a much bigger problem for women.
Nationwide, approximately 192,000 women were diagnosed this year, compared to 1,900 men.
