GREENSBORO, NC -- The numbers have changed….and for the better. The American Cancer Society figures
the number of breast cancer deaths has dropped about 39% in the past 25 years.
That works out to more than 322,000 lives saved. Addy Jeffrey is one of those lives saved. Her experience with breast cancer changed a law in our state.
“The law centers around information each woman gets about their mammogram. The North Carolina Breast Density Notification Law was enacted in 2013 and became law in 2014.”
The law requires a letter be sent to every woman and informing them if they have dense breast tissue. The letter goes on to explain that it may be harder for a regular mammogram to find an abnormality in dense breast tissue.
Forty percent of women have dense tissue. It's not a size thing or an age thing. It just happens. There are 3D mammograms that are a better test for dense breast tissue. Usually, there is an additional cost for the 3D test. In many offices, it is $50.
The bottom line is, you won't even know if you have dense breast tissue if you don't make an appointment for a mammogram.
Addy's story is one of survival. But you don't have to get a law changed to help save someone's life. You can take part in the Women's Only 5k Walk and Run.
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Last year it raised enough money to fund 600 mammograms for women in need.
The walk and run is Saturday, October 14th. The fun starts around 8 am. The race begins at the Women's Hospital Education Center in Greensboro. You can sign up or learn more HERE.