PIERRE, (KCCR) –Orange is a primary color in October, but so is pink. Pink as in awareness for breast cancer for Breast Cancer Awareness month. The American Cancer Society says deaths from breast cancer have been on a steady decline; down 44-percent since 1989. That drop is being credited to better screenings and early detection. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and women with a 20-percent or more lifetime risk are considered at high risk. Doctor Charissa Etrheim at the Avera High Risk Breast Clinic in Mitchell says breast cancer is treatable when discovered early and a mammogram is the best tool for early detection. Mammograms take approximately 15 minutes or less and are uncomfortable for a short period of time. Radiation exposure during a mammogram is safe and is about the same as natural exposure over a seven week period. Most insurance plans cover 100-percent of the testing for women over 40. Avera Health has more information on breast cancer online at avera.org/breastcancer.
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