Day of Awareness highlights widely unknown cancer risk and empowers women to get screened
Most women do not know their breast density and are unaware that breast density is a risk factor for breast cancer. Mammography alone can miss up to 50% of cancers in dense breasts, leaving cancers to grow and possibly spread. Screening mammography alone (including 3D) might not be enough for women with dense breast tissue.
My Density Matters founded by Leslie Yerger created an awareness day to educate women and save lives. This day titled "Find Out My Breast Density Day" provides education and empowerment for women to find out their breast density, understand their cancer risk and get the proper screening.
On Tuesday, Feb. 22, the organization will be launching a campaign on social media with the hashtag #FindOutMyBreastDensityDay, talking with women, sharing an educational video, and hosting a live Twitter chat at 5 p.m. CST with Randy C. Miles MD, MPH, Breast Imaging Division Chief, and Associate Director of Research at Denver Health, on @mydensitymatter utilizing the hashtag #FindOutMyBreastDensityDay to share this crucial, life-saving information.
Why is Find Out My Breast Density Day so vitally important? As Leslie shares, "I was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in November of 2017, two months after an 'all clear' mammogram and ultrasound. My cancer hid in my dense breast tissue, left undetected to grow and spread. What happened to me could happen to you.. I created My Density Matters, and this important awareness day, so that my story doesn't become your story".
Find Out My Breast Density Day aims to empower women to find out their breast density and speak with their doctors about screening. There is only one way to find out your breast density: get a mammogram and ask for the report. Most women miss this important step, and this information is often not shared without initiating the conversation. Once you understand if your density is an A, B, C or D, (from least to most dense) you can act and talk to your doctor about whether additional screening is appropriate for you. This message is what women everywhere need to know and understand. Visit mydensitymatters.org to learn more.
My Density Matters is a nonprofit organization supported by donations and corporate sponsorships from CMR Naviscan, Delphinus Medical Technologies, and Volpara Health.
About My Density Matters:
My Density Matters is on a mission to empower women to find out their breast density, learn their screening options, and insist on essential additional screening. Visit mydensitymatters.org or call (847) 612-5182.