Early Detection Saves Lives!
When breast cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the 5 year survival rates are more than 99%
Don’t Wait, Get Screened!
We can not stress enough how important it is to stay in front of breast cancer by adopting an annual schedule of breast screenings. We hope you are never faced with a breast cancer diagnosis but if you are, the earlier the cancer is detected, the better it is for your survival.
For a list of certified mammography facilities in your area, click here.
New York State Breast Cancer Screenings
Everybody can get screened in New York State
In 2016, New York State passed legislation that gave all women living in New York access to mammograms without copays.
If you are uninsured, there is coverage. If you are insured but are concerned about a copay, there isn’t one.
The New York State Cancer Services Program (CSP), is a statewide initiative that provides free breast, cervical, and colon cancer screenings and education to eligible, uninsured & underinsured men and women. Each of the 60 counties of New York State has a CSP. For more information, please contact your local CSP office:
Erie County 716-858-7376
Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Steuben Counties 877-778-6857Genesee, Niagara, Wyoming Counties 716-278-4898
For general information on the New York State Breast Cancer Services call 866-442-2262
For women of average cancer risk, the American Cancer Society recommends that breast cancer screenings should start at age 40. For more information from the experts about breast cancer, screenings, and early detection, please visit:
Mobile Mammography
Both Windsong Radiology and Erie County Medical Center have mobile units that bring mammography to the community.
Five Year Survival Rates
These charts are from the National Cancer Institute. The pie chart shows us that 63% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage (Stage 1). The lower chart shows that those cases have a 5 year survival rate of 99.6%.
The later the stage of diagnosis, the lower the 5 year survival rate is, demonstrating how important it is to get regular screenings.
This is the success story of detecting breast cancer at its earliest stage.
Source: National Cancer Institute SEER Website
Frequently Asked Questions
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Many imaging facilities require a doctor's prescription to schedule a mammogram. Roswell Park and Breast Screening Center will schedule non-diagnostic mammograms without a doctor's order.
However, if you are under 40 and are experiencing symptoms, please contact your doctor or health provider.
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In New York State, all residents are entitled to annual breast cancer screenings even if you don't have insurance. Contact the Cancer Services Program 866-442-2262 for more information. In Erie County, call 716-858-7376.
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Most health insurance plans, including Medicaid and the plans that participate in the New York State of Health, cover breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings at no cost to the patient
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The Food and Drug Administration has a mammogram facility locator. Click here for that.
You can also text Get Screened to 81336 for a listing from New York State.
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Breast Cancer Network has a program to get you to your mammogram appointment. Call 716-706-0060 or email info@bcnwny.org.
Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Although there is no absolute way to prevent breast cancer, there are many known risk factors. Controlling or eliminating risk can be helpful in reducing your chance of developing breast cancer. Some risk factors are beyond our control and they include ….
Getting older. The risk for breast cancer increases with age. Most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50.
Genetic mutations. Women who have inherited changes (mutations) to certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, are at higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Reproductive history. Starting menstrual periods before age 12 and starting menopause after age 55 expose women to hormones longer, raising their risk of getting breast cancer.
Having dense breasts. Dense breasts have more connective tissue than fatty tissue, which can sometimes make it hard to see tumors on a mammogram. Women with dense breasts are more likely to get breast cancer.
Personal history of breast cancer or certain noncancerous breast diseases. Women who have had breast cancer are more likely to get breast cancer a second time.
Family history of breast or ovarian cancer. A woman's risk for breast cancer is higher if she has a mother, sister, or daughter (first-degree relative) or multiple family members on either her mother's or father's side of the family who have had breast or ovarian cancer.
Previous treatment using radiation therapy. Women who had radiation therapy to the chest or breasts (for instance, treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma) before age 30 have a higher risk of getting breast cancer later in life.
Risk factor source: Center for Disease Control
Risk Factors We Can Control
Other risk factors are things we can control by the lifestyle choices we make and habits we develop.
Not being physically active. Women who are not physically active have a higher risk of getting breast cancer.
Being overweight or having obesity after menopause. Older women who are overweight or have obesity have a higher risk of getting breast cancer than those at a healthy weight.
Taking hormones. Some forms of hormone replacement therapy (those that include both estrogen and progesterone) taken during menopause can raise risk for breast cancer when taken for more than 5 years. Certain oral contraceptives (birth control pills) also have been found to raise breast cancer risk.
Reproductive history. Having the first pregnancy after age 30, not breastfeeding, and never having a full-term pregnancy can raise breast cancer risk.
Drinking alcohol. Studies show that a woman's risk for breast cancer increases with the more alcohol she drinks.
The Breast Cancer Network offers free weekly exercise and restorative health activities to help with the physical and mental well being of anyone impacted by breast cancer.
Want to know more about your personal breast cancer risk? This calculator was developed by scientists at the Wolfson Institute of Preventative Medicine, Queen Mary University of London. The tool estimates the likelihood of a woman developing breast cancer, specifically within 10 years of her current age and over the course of her lifetime.