Police Department wearing pink patches to raise awareness

Oct. 7, 2020 – Members of the Oak Park Police Department are showing support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October by wearing special pink patches throughout the month in support of survivors and those currently facing the disease.

The highly visible patches help bring attention to the importance of early detection, and a portion of their costs goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a national breast cancer research organization.

Additionally, the Village’s Public Health Department is sharing information about a local resource available to help fight the disease.   

During the month of October, women who live in Oak Park, River Forest or Proviso Township can receive a mammogram for no cost at Rush Oak Park Hospital.  To register for your free mammogram, call 708.660.2355. 

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

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

• If you are a woman age 40 to 49, talk with your doctor about when to start getting mammograms and how often to get them.
• If you are a woman age 50 to 74, be sure to get a mammogram every two years. You may also choose to get them more often.

Officials also recommend women talking to a doctor about their 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.

For more information about breast cancer risk and prevention, visit the American Cancer Society website.

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

Members of the Oak Park Police Department show the pink patches they are wearing this October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.