Ralph H. Johnson VA supports breast cancer awareness month
By Cody Miller, Public Affairs Specialist
Charleston, S.C. – The Women Veteran Care team held events to educate Veterans on breast cancer and ways to prevent and detect it, last week at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in downtown Charleston, Oct. 22, and at the North Charleston CBOC, Oct. 24, 2025.
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System wants to encourage Veterans to understand their options when it comes to detecting breast cancer. Women Veteran Care and its coordinators support the health, welfare, and dignity of female Veterans and their families by ensuring equal access to timely, sensitive, and quality care.
“Veterans can be proactive by scheduling their mammograms and by communicating with their providers of any changes that they may notice during self-breast examinations,” said Dorothy Gouedy, Ralph H. Johnson VA HCS Women Veteran Program Manager. “VA follows the United States Preventive Services Task Force for breast cancer screening guidelines and women should begin getting mammograms by age 40 to 74. Per literature- one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and the risk increases with age.”
According to the VA Mammogram and Breast Health Resources webpage, every VA facility has services to ensure Veterans have access to appropriate breast cancer care and treatment. Some of these care options include breast ultrasounds and MRI, biopsies, genetic counseling and testing, and direct cancer diagnosis and treatment. If a Veteran is diagnosed with breast cancer, the VA offers full-service oncology treatment that includes imaging, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and other advanced state-of-the-art treatments as needed, either on site, or referred into the community.
“Breast Cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and second most common cause of cancer deaths in American women,” said Gouedy. “Mammograms can find breast cancer early, and the earlier the cancer is found, the easier is to treat. The VA has a Survivorship Program that provides Veterans with resources, referrals and support available for those that experienced breast cancer in the past.”
To connect with Women Veteran Care in the Lowcountry, call: 843-308-8690 Ext: 424509, or email at: Dorothy.Gouedy2@va.gov.
Local Resources: https://www.va.gov/charleston-health-care/health-services/women-veteran-care/
National Resources: https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/topics/mammogram-breast-health.asp