North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
When you see pink this month, remember to educate yourself — or someone you love — about breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the #2 cause of cancer death in women, but localized breast cancer has a 99% survival rate if detected early. Screenings save lives and VA provides mammograms to all Veterans. 45 VA facilities have on-site, digital mammography. And VA leads the nation in screenings.
In line with national guidelines, VA encourages all women between ages 50 and 75 to get mammograms every two years. Women ages 40 to 50 and those older than 75 should talk with their providers about the risks and benefits of having mammograms and make a decision based on their individual risk factors. When you see pink this month, remember to educate yourself — or someone you love — about breast cancer.
The North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System provides care to over 8,000 women Veterans. With the largest population of female Veterans in VISN 8, the System has three women’s only clinics located at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Lake City VA Medical Center and the Jacksonville Outpatient Clinic. The three women’s clinics provide GYN specialty services. The Malcom Randall VA Medical Center provides surgery for women and a breast cancer clinic for chemotherapy. Future services for female Veterans will include mammography in Gainesville and Jacksonville.
For more information about VA programs and services for women in the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System visit: http://www.northflorida.va.gov/services/women.asp. Veterans can also learn more at: www.va.gov/womenvet and www.womenshealth.va.gov.
