GCVHCS Encouraging Veterans to Access Breast Health Services During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

According to GCVHCS Women Veterans Program Manager Dr. Donna Maxwell, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women and is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Maxwell added that localized breast cancer has a 99 percent survival rate if detected early.

“We’re encouraging all women Veterans to speak with their health care providers about breast health and get checked and treated for breast cancer,” she said. “We recognize that some Veterans may have missed their regularly scheduled mammogram due to COVID-19 and encourage women Veterans to reach out to their VA health care provider to get one scheduled.”

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and throughout the year, the GCVHCS Women Veterans Program offers high quality women’s health care, including breast care services.

“The VA leads the nation’s health care systems in providing mammograms to those who need them,” Maxwell said. “Every VA medical center has a Women Veterans Program Manager to ensure women Veterans have access to appropriate care and treatment.”

Breast care resources available through VA include screening and diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasound and MRI, genetic counseling and testing, cancer treatment and more. VA recommends regular breast cancer screening for women who are 45 years of age and older, though some women may choose to start screening with yearly mammograms as early as age 40. Women should talk with their VA primary care provider team about what is best for them and schedule their mammogram.

For more information on the GCVCHS Women Veterans Program, visit the official GCVHCS Women Veterans Program web page.

The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System is headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi, and provides a variety of medical outpatient services to more than 81,000 Veterans and other beneficiaries at five locations in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.