Friend2Friend: Early detection is the best protection

By Haley Harrison, 6 News Lawrence

VIDEO:

Doctors are making sure that getting a mammogram at Lawrence Memorial Hospital isn't like any other trip to the hospital.

The 65 women who enter these doors daily are usually here for a routine mammogram, an exam that no matter how quick is never easy.

"Most people come in and they're nervous," Lisa Jones of L.M.H. said. "They've heard 'they're going to smash you flat as a pancake'."

It's a series of photographs," that tells patients if they're being drafted into the war against breast cancer.

"Mammography gets such a bad rap," Jones said. "I come into my day thinking 'if I can make this easier for one patient, then I've done what I need to do today'."

In 2007, breast cancer claimed more than 40,000 casualties nationwide.

But mammograms are life-savers. They detect cancers too small to even feel.

A national study published in July shows each yearly exam decreases a woman's breast cancer mortality risk by 31 percent.

Women get that first, baseline mammogram between 35 and 40 years of age, then annually after that.

"The best protection is early detection," Jones said.

At Lawrence Memorial Hospital they're armed with three vital weapons: technology, sensitive staff and fearless patients

Together, through early diagnosis, they say they can win the fight against breast cancer.

49 News has partnered with Lawrence Memorial Hospital to encourage you to adopt measures that lead to early detection. One in eight women is affected with breast cancer. Get more statistics and learn how you can protect yourself at 49abcnews.com/friend2friend. There you can also sign up to be reminded when it's time to do self breast exams and get breast cancer stories emailed to your inbox. Check it out.

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