County Health Departments in North Georgia Hold Breast Cancer Awareness Events
North GA – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and public health officials in the North Georgia Health District are reminding women that routine screening helps detect cancer at an early stage when it is most curable.
Nearly 10 million cancer screenings were missed in the U.S. during the pandemic, according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, causing many deaths that could have been prevented.
Early detection can improve the chances of breast cancer survival, and now, especially for women ages 40 to 64 who may have delayed screenings, It’s Time!
Public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties are highlighting the importance of breast cancer awareness and detection this month, as follows:
Cherokee County Health Department’s Canton Health Center will have a Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Wednesday, October 19th, from 8 to 11: 30 am and from 1 to 3:30 pm. Free Clinical Breast Exams by a Women’s Health Nurse will be provided to women ages 40 to 64 or to any woman who detects a change in her breast as described in the *symptoms below. An Appointment is required for an exam – please call (770) 345-7371. No insurance or payment is required. The Canton Health Center is located at 1219 Univeter Road, Canton, GA 30115.
Cherokee County Health Department's Woodstock Health Center will celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness over three days: Tuesday, October 25th from 7:30 am to 5 pm, and on Wednesday, October 26th and Thursday, October 27th from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Free Breast Checks and Referrals will be offered to women ages 40 to 64 or to any woman who detects a change in her breast as described in the *symptoms below. An Appointment is required for an exam – please call (770) 928-0133. Education and literature about the need for early detection of breast cancer through self-examinations and healthcare screenings will be provided, and staff will teach the signs and symptoms to look for to detect breast cancer as early as possible. Eligible women will be enrolled in the BCCP program, and there will be FREE Goodie Bags and a Raffle for Prizes donated by community partners. The address is 7545 North Main Street, Suite 100, Woodstock, GA 30188.
(Pictured are Cherokee County Health Department staff wearing pink for Breast Cancer Awareness. From left to right are Natalia Plasencia, Kelene Campbell, Kathy Gresham, Monica Wright, Pam Baker, Amy Patterson, Elizabeth Land, Marcela Sierra, Lena Baker, Leslie Abreu, Sharnel Walker, Latoya Williams, Rae Wilson, and Christopher Bates)
Fannin County Health Department will provide free breast exams to women who are ages 40 to 64 or if they have *symptoms on Tuesday, October 18th from 9 am to 4 pm. Appointments are recommended but walk-ins will be accommodated, if possible. The Fannin County Health Department is at 95 Ouida Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30516, and the number is (706) 632-3023.
Murray County Health Department will have a Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Wednesday, October 26th at the health department, offering free breast exams to women ages 40 to 64 or if they have *symptoms from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. The Murray County Health Department location is 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705, and the number is (706) 695-4585. (See photo at right of Mayor Gong at the signing with Karen Penland, Christy Nation, and Cathy Dodd of the Murray County Health Department.)
Additionally, Chatsworth Mayor KW Gong signed a proclamation declaring October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Whitfield County Health Department’s Women’s Clinic will host a Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Wednesday, October 19th from 8 am to 12 pm. Free clinical breast exams will be provided for any woman 19 years old or older. No appointment is necessary. The Whitfield County Health Department address is 800 Professional Boulevard, Dalton, GA, 30720, and the phone number is (706) 279-9600. The Women’s Clinic is in the back.
Gilmer and Pickens County Health Departments offer education and printed materials in their clinics to residents regarding the need for early detection of breast cancer through both self-examinations and healthcare screenings, and they teach the *signs and symptoms to look for to detect breast cancer as early as possible. The Gilmer County Health Department is at 28 Southside Church Street, Ellijay, 30540, and the number is (706) 635-4363. The Pickens County Health Department is at 60 Health Way, Jasper, GA 30143, and the number is (706) 253-2821. (See photo at right of Pickens County Environmental Health staff Alexandra Darden, Denise Cox, and Carolyn Cook wearing pink for Breast Cancer Awareness.)
*Some of the warning signs and symptoms of breast cancer are:
- New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)
- Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
- Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
- Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast
- Pulling in of the nipple
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood
- Any change in the size or shape of the breast
- Pain in the breast
Regular visits to a primary care provider are a necessary part of a health care routine. If a person notices any changes in their breasts that are concerning, they should call their healthcare provider immediately.
Go to our website as we provide further updates for Breast Cancer Awareness in our health district at nghd.org/news/bca-events-in-north-ga. Learn more about breast cancer and how to prevent it at dph.georgia.gov/BCCP.
Win the fight against breast cancer.... It’s Time for early detection!