The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

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Oak Park recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Oct. 2, 2023 – The Oak Park Public Health Department is marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October by sharing information about local resources available to help fight the disease. 

During the month of October, residents of Oak Park, River Forest or Proviso Township without insurance coverage can receive a mammogram for no cost at Rush Oak Park Hospital.  To register for your free mammogram, call 708.660.6268 or click here for more information

Additionally, members of the Oak Park Police Department are showing support for survivors and those currently facing the disease by wearing special pink uniform patches and pins throughout the month.

Breast cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer in women after skin cancer. About 1 in 8 women in the United States will get breast cancer at some point in their lives. 

The good news is that most people can survive breast cancer if it’s detected and treated early. Public health officials recommend that people take the following steps:

  • Woman age 40 to 49, talk with your doctor about to start getting mammograms and how often to get them. Woman age 50 to 74, be sure to get a mammogram every two years. You may also choose to get them more often.
  • Transgender women, talk with a doctor about the risk of breast cancer following breast development and five years of hormone therapy.
  • Transgender men, talk with a doctor about the risk of developing breast cancer in any remaining breast/chest tissue.
  • Officials recommend talking to a doctor about the risk for breast cancer, especially if a close family member had breast or ovarian cancer. Doctors can then help decide when and how often to get mammograms.

According to the American Cancer Society, there are some breast cancer risk factors you cannot change,  while there are other lifestyle-related risk factors that can increase the possibility of breast cancer. For more information about breast cancer risk and prevention, visit the American Cancer Society website.

For more information about the Oak Park Public Health Department, visit www.oak-park.us/health, email health@oak-park.us or call 708.358.5480.