Lake Norman Regional Medical Center
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older and breast cancer deaths have declined.

This is great progress, however there are still women who do not take advantage of early detection and others who do not get regular screening mammograms and clinical breast exams. According to the American Cancer Society, there is expected to be an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women this year, along with 2,140 new cases in men.

Doctors suggest that beginning at the age of 40, women should receive regular mammograms and annual breast exams.

Additionally, women should:

• Talk to their families about their history and to their health care provider to learn about personal risks
• Complete a self breast exam every month and recognize that it is okay to consult a health care professional if there are any changes
• Include healthy lifestyle choices like maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, breastfeeding and limiting alcohol intake.

“If all women age 40 and older would take advantage of early detection methods – mammography plus clinical breast exam – breast cancer death rates would drop much further, up to 30 percent,” says Sheri Corso, Director of Imaging Services, at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center in Mooresville.

“The key to mammography screening is that is be done routinely – once is not enough. Remember that routine screenings save lives,” continued Corso.

Lake Norman Regional Medical Center is scheduled to host events that will help support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Programs include Senior Extra at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center on October 5 at 3pm and a Lunch and Learn at the South Iredell Senior Center on October 13 at 11am. Representatives from Mooresville Surgical Associates and Lake Norman Imaging Center will discuss screening, detection, and treatment of breast cancer. Reservations are required. Contact Community Outreach at 704-660-4859 to reserve a space.

Lake Norman Regional Medical Center offers comprehensive medical care to individuals throughout the greater Lake Norman region. Located just off I-77 at Exit 33, the Mooresville medical campus offers complete specialty services from 24-hour emergency medicine and maternity to oncology and advanced surgical services. For more information about the services offered at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, please visit www.LNRMC.com.

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