KEENE, NH – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and local officials are stressing the importance of regular cancer screenings.

Recently, The Cheshire Health Foundation at Cheshire Medical Center wrapped up a fundraising effort to purchase a new 3D mammography machine and to upgrade the existing machine.

Jen Doyle of the Cheshire Health Foundation said they raised the $788,000 needed and were able to order the new machine, which is anticipated to arrive towards the end of March. Doyle said more than 7,000 mammograms are performed at Cheshire Medical annually, and with two 3D mammography machines they’ll be able to meet the growing needs of the community.

Doyle says she can’t overstate the importance of regular cancer screenings, particularly when you take a look at the statistics.

“1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said. “New Hampshire has the fourth highest incidence of breast cancer per capita within the 50 U.S. states. Even more sobering, Cheshire County has the highest rate of breast cancer of the ten counties.”

Doyle said the hospital is encouraging everyone, not just women, to schedule regular, preventative healthcare maintenance, and especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to schedule a mammogram. More information on Cheshire’s Breast Care Center is available here.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services offers a Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) aimed at reducing mortality rates through the early detection of breast and cervical cancer. BCCP provides free screenings and diagnostic services to those who are between the ages of 21 and 64, have no health insurance, or insurance that doesn’t cover 100% of the cost, and with family income levels at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.