October marks National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Henry and Stark County Health Department, along with First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon, is urging women to prioritize early detection. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer remains the most common cancer for American women, with nearly 317,000 new cases projected nationwide in 2025. RaeAnn Tucker, Health Promotion Director, highlights that finding breast cancer early greatly improves the chance of successful treatment. Women are encouraged to perform monthly self-exams and schedule annual clinical exams and mammograms.
First Choice Healthcare Clinics are highlighting expanded women’s health services, welcoming patients with most insurance providers as well as private pay options. The clinics are committed to accessible care in both the Kewanee and Toulon locations. Community members seeking more details can reach out directly by calling 309-852-5272 for Kewanee or 309-852-3115 for Toulon. Updates and health tips are available at henrystarkhealth.com and also shared through their social media platforms, including Facebook as Henry and Stark County Health Departments, along with Twitter and Instagram
RaeAnn Tucker, Health Department Director of Health Promotion, notes, “When considering facts such as these it’s obvious that we, in the public health field, must emphasize the importance of early detection and screening. Indeed, breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. The good news is that many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. Therefore, we would like to encourage women to partner with a friend or family member to remind each other to practice monthly breast self-exam and make annual clinical exam and mammogram appointments.”
The American Cancer Society projects that in 2025, approximately 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States. Additionally, 59,080 new cases of non-invasive, or in situ, breast cancer are expected. Tragically, breast cancer is estimated to claim the lives of about 42,170 women in the country next year. Statistically, a woman in the U.S. faces a lifetime breast cancer risk of around 13 percent, or one in every eight women. These numbers highlight the ongoing need for research, awareness, and early detection in the fight against breast cancer.