KMOV: Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Importance of Screenings

During their lifetime, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. To mark the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Kim Widel, imaging manager at Memorial Hospital in Shiloh, joined KMOV’s Great Day to discuss the importance of annual screening mammograms and the critical role of early detection.

She recommends that women at average risk start receiving annual screening mammograms at age 40, noting that breast cancer does not always present noticeable symptoms. Early detection allows providers to identify smaller, contained cancers sooner, leading to more effective treatment options and better overall outcomes.