Breast Care Awareness

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According to the American Cancer Society the recommended screening guidelines for breast care are:

  • Self-Breast Exam: Conduct self-breast exams monthly. Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel. You should report any changes to your doctor.
  • Clinical Breast Exam (CBE): For women in their 20’s and 30’s you should get a clinical breast exam every 3 year. For women 40 and over, you should get a CBE annually.
  • Mammography: For women age 40 and over, you should get a mammogram annually for as long as you are in good health.

According to the American Cancer Society 2009-2010 report there will be:

  • An estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed among women.
  • An additional 62,280 cases of in situ breast cancer.
  • An estimated 40,170 women will die from breast cancer in 2009.

ADHP along with Accessibility Ambassadors surveyed several Arkansas mammography facilities for accessibility. Our findings and tips for scheduling and preparing for a mammogram can be found in the Resource Guide: Mammography for Women with Disabilities in Arkansas.

In Arkansas 24.5% of the population living in the community report some kind of disability.

Women with disabilities report breast cancer at a higher rate than their non-disabled peers.

Women with disabilities are also less likely to follow the recommended guidelines for getting their mammogram.

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Women Be Healthy

Preparing Women with Developmental Disabilities for Breast & Pelvic Exams

Through funding from the Arkansas Cancer Coalition, ADHP is working with staff at developmental disability providers to help the women they serve prepare for mammograms and pelvic exams providing education, relaxation skills, and healthcare advocacy, promoting active participation in their healthcare.

If you would like to learn more about Women Be Healthy contact Judy Young.

WBH trainers can check out one of four training kits with all supplies to train 15 women. The toolkit can be checked out and kept for 10 weeks. Remember to complete the form included in the kit before you return your kit.

A box with dolls inside and posters and other materials in front of it

Breast Care Media Materials

Breast Cancer Awareness Poster. People sitting and standing together. Text: Breast Cancer Affects All of Us.

The Arkansas Disability & Health Program is raising awareness of breast care among women with disabilities through a multi media campaign.

To order advertising materials, please email vanessas@uark.edu.