Consider this your Reminder to do your Self-Exams!

Breast Cancer Awareness and Importance in the Veteran Community

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women veterans, but thankfully its also highly treatable when detected early. Its crucial for veterans to stay on the schedule for their routine mammograms and clinical breast exams. Regular self exams are your first line of defense, and something everyone should do regardless of age, sex, or family history. Age does not discriminate, and many veterans exposed to toxic substances during service have a much higher risk of early presentation. I found my first breast mass at 29 during a self exam, and a speedy process to discover other masses and remove them surely saved me!

Breast cancer is a known complication caused by burn pit exposure, and is now a recognized presumptive claim under the PACT Act updates in 2022. This link provides information on mammograms, clinical breast exams, and other breast cancer screening and prevention topics. It also includes a list of VA facilities that offer breast cancer screening services.

https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/topics/mammogram-breast-health.asp

Learn more about other presumptive conditions recently added to VA law by watching the PACT Act updates here: 

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