National Mammography Day

National Mammography Day is an annual observance that takes place on the third Friday of October. The day is part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is observed in October to raise awareness about breast cancer and promote early detection and treatment. National Mammography Day was first observed in 1993 as a way to encourage women to schedule regular mammograms, which are an important tool in the early detection of breast cancer. On this day, healthcare providers, breast cancer organizations, and other groups may hold events to promote breast cancer screening and awareness. The American Cancer Society recommends that women at average risk of breast cancer begin getting annual mammograms starting at age 45, and that women at higher risk may need to start screening earlier or have additional tests, such as breast MRI. Mammography is an important tool in the fight against breast cancer, as it can detect tumors at an early stage when they are most treatable. If you are a woman over the age of 40, or if you have an increased risk of developing breast cancer, you should talk to your healthcare provider about when to start getting mammograms and how often to get screened.