Breast Cancer Awareness Month
When the new Hospital opens, Sublette County residents will be able to get their mammograms close to home. Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early when it is most treatable. The American Cancer Society recommends that women start getting mammograms at age 45, and continue getting them every year until they are 75. Women at higher risk of breast cancer may need to start getting mammograms earlier.
According to the American Cancer Society, there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer. But there are things you can do that might lower your risk. Many risk factors are beyond your control, such as being born female and getting older. But other risk factors can be changed and may lower your risk.
These include:
Eating a healthy diet
Exercising regularly
Maintaining a healthy weight
Not smoking
Limiting alcohol intake
Wyoming And Mammograms
We have a long way to go in Wyoming when it comes to mammograms. According to the National Cancer Institute, only 65% of Wyoming women aged 50-70 received a mammogram in the last two years. This is the lowest in the United States. For women aged 40 years and up, Wyoming ranks second to last at 62%. By being able to provide mammograms right here in Sublette County, we hope to move this number in the right direction.
Need to schedule a mammogram? You can schedule your own appointment - no referrals are required. Here are the phone numbers of the three closest mammogram machines!
St. Johns Medical Center: (307) 739-7531
Star Valley Health: (307) 885-5940
Sweetwater Memorial Hospital: (307) 362-3711
Power In Pink 5K
If you are interested in raising awareness about breast cancer and supporting those affected by the disease, The Power in Pink 5K Fun Run/Walk is a great way to get involved! The race will take place on October 16th at the Sublette County Fairgrounds. Registration is $25 per individual or $100 for a team. All proceeds will benefit Kickin' Cancer in Sublette County.
Register here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069887867196
We hope you will join us in supporting breast cancer awareness this October. Together, we can make a difference.
Sublette County Health Foundation
The Sublette County Health Foundation is currently running a capital campaign to raise $10.5 million to close the funding gap of the new hospital. The Women's Health / Radiology Equipment portion of the campaign is seeking $1.9 million, which will be used to purchase a 32-slice CT Scanner, a Dexa machine, and a 3D Digital Tomosynthesis mammography machine. These new machines will help improve the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, and ultimately make it more convenient for Sublette County women to get their mammograms close to home.
