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1993.11.19 :  Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Contact: Moya Benoit Thompson, AoA 
(202) 401-4541

While October was the officially designated "Breast Cancer
Awareness Month," older Americans in particular need to be aware
throughout the year of the threat of breast cancer, HHS Assistant
Secretary for Aging Fernando M. Torres-Gil advises.

The risk of breast cancer increases with age, and detection is the
key to more successful treatment, Torres-Gil said.

"Breast cancer is one of the leading killers of women in our
society," Torres-Gil said.  "In fact, one woman in eight will get
this disease some time in her life.  In the decade of the 1990s, it
is estimated that nearly 500,000 women will die of breast cancer
and more than 1.5 million new cases will be diagnosed, mostly in
older women."

He said, "It is critical that we do our part to get the word out
about what can be done to save lives from this tragic and often
fatal disease.  The physical, emotional and financial toll on a
woman and her family can be devastating.  However, with early
detection, breast cancer can often be treated successfully."

More than three quarters of all breast cancers occur in women over
age 50.  If a woman's mother, sister or daughter had breast cancer,
the chances of developing it may be greater.  However, the great
majority of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer do not have
a history of it in their family. other factors such as early
puberty, late menopause and late childbearing (or remaining
childless) are thought to increase breast cancer risk as well.

"Unfortunately, many women do not know that early detection of this
catastrophic disease through simple detection measures can help
save lives.  A key weapon against breast cancer is education and
early detection screening," Torres-Gil said.

The U.S. Prevention Services Task Force recommends that all women
receive regular clinical breast examinations, and women between the
ages of 40-49 discuss the appropriateness of a screening mammogram
with their doctors.  It recommends screening mammograms every one
to two years for women between the ages of 50 and approximately 75. 
HHS' Medicare program for the elderly and disabled helps to pay for
screening mammography examinations.

Torres-Gil said, "With the passage of President Clinton's health
care plan, the American Health Security Act, no woman in need will
go without a regular mammogram for lack of funds or insurance. 
Every woman in the country will have the opportunity for early
breast cancer detection so important in our fight against this
dreaded disease.  We must work to ensure that this health care plan
becomes reality so that the lives of many of our loved ones may be 
saved.  If you are a woman age 50 or over, get regular screening
mammograms and breast exams."

The assistant secretary for aging oversees the Administration on
Aging, the lead advocate agency for older Americans and their
concerns at the federal level.  AoA works closely with its
nationwide network of regional offices and state and area agencies
on aging to meet the needs of the elderly and their families.