Milwaukee VA to host Breast Cancer Awareness Walk
PRESS RELEASE
September 25, 2023
Milwaukee , WI — The Milwaukee VA Medical Center’s Women’s Health Program is staging a 2K walk to raise awareness of breast cancer and the resources available to female Veterans.
The event will be 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Lake Wheeler Pavilion, located just north of the Milwaukee VA Medical Center at 5000 W. National Ave. It is free and open to Veterans, their caregivers and the public.
The walk is a self-paced, outdoor event. Participants should dress for the weather and have good walking shoes. The 2K route will be through the scenic Milwaukee VA campus.
Tandria Williams, Associate Director for Patient Care Services for the Milwaukee VA Medical Center and a breast cancer survivor, will share her story to kick off the event at 10:30 a.m.
“One in eight women will have breast cancer in their lifetime,” said Katie Wisniewski, Women Veterans Program Manager at the Milwaukee VA. “Breast cancer has a 99% survival rate if detected early. Getting screened is an important part of maintaining your overall health and could save your life.”
Unless Veterans are determined to be at high risk, it is recommended to begin mammography at age 40-45 and continue every year until age 54. Screenings should be every other year after that.
The walk also brings attention to the SERVICE Act, which ensures that all Veterans exposed to burn pits while deployed, and those who may have had other toxic exposures while serving on active duty, will have breast cancer risk assessments and mammography screenings and follow-up care, as needed.
“While no direct link has been found between toxic exposure and breast cancer, VA is concerned about tragic individual cases and is continuing to carefully examine the data,” Wisniewski said. “Veterans who had a toxic exposure and are concerned about their risk should talk to their health care provider.”
The SERVICE Act aligns with the PACT Act by addressing potential exposure-related health conditions. Veterans who would like to learn more should visit http://www.va.gov/PACT.
To learn more about Milwaukee VA health services for female Veterans, contact the Women Veterans Program at 414-384-2000, ext. 45795, or the national Women Veterans Call Center at 855-829-6636.
David Walter, Public Affairs Specialist
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