Vail Breast Cancer Group: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Vail Breast Cancer Group
Courtesy photo
Did you know that 70% to 80% of breast cancers occur in patients with no family history?
Did you know that breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the United States?
Free screening mammograms are available to uninsured women residing in our service area through the Vail Breast Cancer Group, a subgroup of the Vail Valley Charitable Fund.
“No one in my family ever had breast cancer” is the top excuse I hear from my own patients for why they did not get a mammogram. That unfortunate rationale delays breast cancer detection and early treatment. Although family history is a key risk factor, as mentioned above, a majority of breast cancers are not familial. Early detection through screening improves outcomes for all women, especially those aged 50-69 years.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is a great time for women to get current on breast cancer screening. The American College of Radiology recommends routine screening mammograms every year starting at age 40.
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Genetics and family history are well-known breast cancer risk factors, along with breast density, age, female gender, ethnicity and personal history of breast cancer. Regrettably, these factors cannot be modified.
Risk factors that we can modify include tobacco use, alcohol use, high body weight or obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. To reduce your risk:
- Do not smoke. If you smoke, quitting can decrease your risk.
- Do not drink alcohol, or drink alcohol in moderation (1 glass a day or less).
- Maintain a healthy weight (obesity increases risk, especially after menopause).
- Exercise regularly.
- Get regular breast cancer screenings.
A breast lump is the most common symptom of breast cancer, but signs can also include swelling, skin irritation, nipple retraction, changes in skin texture, nipple discharge, or a lump in the armpit. Some breast cancers only show as an abnormality on a mammogram, without any palpable lump. Ask your doctor about any breast symptoms you notice. We would rather see you and evaluate your concern than risk missing something important.
Underneath the Vail Valley Charitable Fund, the Vail Breast Cancer Group subgroup launched our mammogram program in July 2025. A huge thank you to our friends at Vail Health for helping us bring this program to fruition, which offers free screening mammograms to uninsured women who reside in our service area. Additionally, a $500 stipend will be given to offset the cost of follow-up diagnostic imaging or other recommended course of treatment should that be required.
To qualify, applicants must have lived or worked in our service area, which is from East Vail to Dotsero, including Minturn and Red Cliff. Eligible women can complete an application at VVCF.org/vbcg, including a doctor’s order and other supplemental documentation. This program targets and supports individuals within 251% to 550% of the Federal Poverty Level income bracket. For women who fall outside of these criteria, we can provide information on other local options to help pay for care and mammograms.
The Vail Valley Charitable Fund helps locals suffering from a medical crisis, and now provides free mammograms. Educate yourself on the resources available to you. Reach out for assistance. Take care of yourself and your body. Focus on preventive care. Visit VVCF.org for more information and eligibility guidelines.
