Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health emphasize the importance of early detection during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Illinois has designated October as the awareness month and October 18th as Mammography Day. The state encourages screenings through the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, which offers free services for eligible individuals. The Illinois Lottery supports the cause with a special Ticket for the Cure, funding breast cancer research and education.
“More than 11,000 Illinois women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime,” Governor Pritzker said. “But it is a disease that has a better prognosis with early detection, which is why it is so important for Illinoisans to schedule a mammogram sooner rather than later. And for those who are uninsured or underinsured, the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program offers free mammograms as well as cervical cancer screening.”
“Breast cancer is a very personal issue to me, as it has affected multiple members of my family,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “IDPH is committed to fighting breast cancer and saving lives through education and early detection. I encourage Illinoisans to schedule a comprehensive exam as soon as possible and ask your doctor about breast cancer screening.”
