The Right To Know CampaignBreast Cancer Screening

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. And living with a disability does not make you immune. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, learn the facts about breast cancer and why screening should be a regular part of your health care.

In the United States in 2008, women with a disability aged 50-74 reported a lower rate of mammography use than women without a disability of the same ages (78.1% vs. 82.6%).¹

Studies also show higher rates of death related to breast cancer among women with a disability, even when diagnosed at the same stage as women without a disability.² Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer.

More Information

• CDC’s Campaign: “Breast Cancer Screening: The Right to Know.”
• Free Flyers, Fact Sheets, and Dissemination Guide
• CDC’s Disability and Health
• Tip Sheets (PDF) in English [PDF – 687KB] and Spanish [PDF – 674KB]
• Basic Breast Cancer Information
• Breast Cancer Screening
• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Summary of Recommendations on Breast Cancer Screening
• The Official U.S. Government Site for Medicare

References

1. CDC. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, 2008.
2. McCarthy EP, Ngo LH, Roetzheim RG, et al.Disparities in breast cancer treatment and survival for women with disabilities. Annals of Internal Medicine 2006; 145:637–645.