Breast cancer

During 2014, it is estimated that more than 1,200 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 190 women will die from the disease. As National Breast Cancer Awareness month winds down, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminds women that regular screening mammograms are critical in diagnosing and beginning treatment of the disease.

 Not all breast cancer is accompanied by a lump that is discovered during a breast exam, which is why a regular mammogram is so important.  Women should enter into a personal discussion regarding their screening with their primary care physicians and decisions should be individualized.

 A screening mammogram can detect breast cancer early, even before symptoms arise.  Women between ages 50 to 74 should have a screening mammogram every two years, while women age 40 to 49 should talk to their doctor about when and how often to have this screening.

The Maine CDC Breast and Cervical Health and Colorectal Cancer Control Programs can provide information about cancer screening tests and has some resources available for free cancer screenings.

Women must be age 40 or older and meet financial and other program criteria.  Interested women are encouraged to call 1-800-350-5180 or 1-207-287-8068; TTY users call Maine Relay 711.

More details can also be found at: http://go.usa.gov/GF8R 

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month

During 2013, it is estimated that more than 1,150 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 190 women will die from the disease. As October marks National Breast Cancer Awareness month, Maine CDC reminds women that regular screening mammograms are critical in diagnosing and beginning treatment of the disease.

A screening mammogram can detect breast cancer early, even before symptoms arise. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Cancer Society recommend annual mammogram, starting at age 40. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening every one to two years, starting at age 50. Women with a first degree relative with breast cancer may warrant testing prior to these age recommendations. All patients should enter into a personal discussion regarding their screening with their primary care physicians and decisions should be individualized.

Women with hyper dense breast tissue may be at increased risk, as a mass may be masked by the dense tissue. Not all breast cancer is palpable as a lump on breast exam, which is why mammogram is so important.

The Maine CDC Breast and Cervical Health and Colorectal Cancer Control Programs can provide information about cancer screening tests and has some resources available for free cancer screenings.

Women must be age 40 or older and meet financial and other program criteria. Interested women are encouraged to call 1-800-350-5180 or 1-207-287-8068; TTY users call Maine Relay 711.

More details can also be found at: http://go.usa.gov/DHJ5

Breast Cancer Awareness

Maine CDC recognizes October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In 2012, it is anticipated that 1,170 Maine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 180 women will die from the disease.


Eating more fruits and vegetables and exercising regularly are two important steps to lessen the risk. To increase the chance of finding breast cancer early, it is important that women be screened regularly. Early detection is the best protection and mammograms are still the best screening test. The 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey found that more than 80% of 221,241 Maine women age 40 and older reported having a mammogram in the past two years.

Help is available for women age 40 and older who are in need of breast, cervical, and colorectal screening tests if they meet program qualifications. The Maine CDC Breast and Cervical Health and Colorectal Cancer Control Programs can provide information about cancer screening tests as well as resources for free cancer screenings.

Interested women are encouraged to call 1-800-350-5180 or 1-207-287-8068, TTY users call Maine Relay 711. More details can also be found at: http://go.usa.gov/Y4b3

Cervical Cancer Screening

            January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month, and Maine CDC encourages Maine women to schedule a Pap test, especially if it has been five or more years since the last test.

            “Regularly scheduled Pap tests are critical in preventing cervical cancer,’’ said Dr. Sheila Pinette, Director of Maine CDC. “With the holiday rush over, now may be the perfect time to schedule a test.”

            But going for a routine Pap test can make all the difference - helping medical staff spot potentially cancerous cells growing on the cervix, or neck of the womb, before it’s too late, said Dr. Pinette.

            Women should check with their doctor to find out if they need a Pap test or other cancer screenings, including a mammogram, a FIT test (Fecal Immunochemical Test), or a colonoscopy.

            For more information about breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer, or to learn if you qualify for free screening, women should call 1-800-350-5180 and press 1

Public Health Update 10/13/11

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

US CDC has a special Q&A feature about breast cancer and mammograms available at http://www.cdc.gov/Features/BreastCancerAwareness/

The Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program (MBCHP) is a comprehensive breast and cervical cancer early detection program housed within Maine CDC’s Division of Chronic Disease. Early detection continues to be the best way to combat breast and cervical cancer. The program’s mission is to help low-income, uninsured and underinsured women gain access to breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to support and enhance breast and cervical cancer control activities statewide.

For more information: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/bohdcfh/bcp/

World Arthritis Day

Physical activity is beneficial for the management of arthritis, yet data show that 44% of people with arthritis are physically inactive. In recognition of World Arthritis Day on Oct. 12, adults with arthritis are encouraged to engage in regular physical activity to better manage their arthritis each and every day.

For more information about arthritis and physical activity, see this US CDC feature: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Arthritis/

For more information about World Arthritis Day, see this MMWR: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6039a7.htm

Drinking and driving

Alcohol-impaired driving crashes account for nearly 11,000 crash fatalities, or about one third of all crash fatalities in the United States. US CDC’s monthly Vital Signs feature has important information about drinking and driving: http://www.cdc.gov/VitalSigns/DrinkingandDriving/

For more information, see this MMWR: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6039a4.htm

HIV/STD update

The monthly HIV/STD update for September has been posted at http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/hiv-std/data/documents/Data-Update-09-2011.pdf

US CDC has made popular STD fact sheets available for smart phones and other mobile devices: http://m.cdc.gov/menu.aspx?menuId=64&language=en

Influenza update

Maine CDC has already distributed almost 174,000 doses of state-supplied influenza vaccine to registered providers for the 2011-2012 season.

Almost 240 clinics at 70 school districts have already been registered for this season. A list of schools with registered school-located vaccine clinics is available at http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/maineflu/flu-clinics.shtml

If you still need your flu shot, a searchable county listing of flu clinics is available at http://www.211maine.org/flu-clinics/ or you can search by zipcode at http://www.flu.gov/

Infectious disease conference

Maine CDC’s Division of Infectious Disease will hold its annual conference from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Augusta Civic Center. Issues presented will include challenges in controlling infectious diseases, information on responding to new disease threats, and clinical updates and approaches. Cost: $35 before Oct. 24 and $50 after. Space is limited. For more information and to register: http://adcarecdc.neias.org/idhome/

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The 14th Annual Silver Tea to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month was held Sept. 28. The tea was sponsored by Maine First Lady Ann LePage and the member organizations of the Breast Health Cooperative:

American Cancer Society, Maine CDC’s Breast and Cervical Health program, Maine Breast Cancer Coalition, Maine Breast Nurse Network, Maine Cancer Foundation, and the Maine affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Mrs. LePage read the 2011 Governor’s Proclamation designating October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Robert J. Ferguson, PhD, from the Maine Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at Eastern Maine Medical Center, spoke about the association between adjuvant chemotherapy and mild cognitive decline among breast cancer survivors.

Donna Green, RN, BSN, OCN, Clinical Manager of Oncology Administration at Maine Medical Center, was honored with the 2011 Breast Health Leadership Award among professionals.

Patco Construction Company, a family-owned construction business in Sanford, received the 2011 Breast Health Leadership Award among volunteers. The company annually sponsors breast cancer awareness activities, and this year coordinated the production of a two-CD collection that brings together more than two dozen of Maine’s most talented female performers.

Making mammograms and related services accessible

This MedlinePlus article describes some of the barriers to getting mammograms that low-income women face.

The Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program (MBCHP) is a comprehensive breast and cervical cancer early detection program housed within Maine CDC’s Division of Chronic Disease. Early detection continues to be the best way to combat breast and cervical cancer. The program’s mission is to help low-income, uninsured and underinsured women gain access to breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to support and enhance breast and cervical cancer control activities statewide.

The MBCHP is responsible for coordinating the delivery of the respective screening and diagnostic services to underserved women through a statewide network of primary care and diagnostic health care providers. The MBCHP collaborates with a variety of community-based organizations to promote the availability of the program’s covered services.

The MBCHP contracts with more than 125 primary care provider sites throughout the state to provide enrolled women with a clinical breast exam, pelvic exam and Pap test, and referral for a mammogram. The PCP sites collaborate with the MBCHP to coordinate needed diagnostic testing if screenings identify an abnormality that is suspicious for cancer. The MBCHP provider network also includes mammography facilities throughout the state that provide screening and diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds and laboratories that provide cytology and pathology services.

Successful management of the MBCHP relies heavily on ongoing collaboration and cooperation with staff at the DHHS Office of Integrated Access and Support (OIAS) and Office of Medical Services (OMS).

Currently, the MBCHP has more than 6,200 women actively enrolled in the early detection program, who are eligible for an annual mammogram and Pap testing per recommended screening schedules. To date, more than 318 breast cancers and 86 cervical cancer/pre-cancerous conditions have been detected because of the quality and timely services delivered by MBCHP providers statewide.

For more information, visit http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/bohdcfh/bcp/index.htm or call the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program at 1-800-350-5180, TYY: 207-287-8015.