October 2025 BCA
Breast Cancer Awareness: What You Need to Know — Locally and Personally
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to educate and support those affected by the disease. But for Crooksville and surrounding areas, awareness means more than pink ribbons — it’s about knowing the facts, understanding your body, and connecting with local resources to save lives.
1. Why Breast Cancer Awareness Matters Here
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S. While survival rates have improved thanks to research and early detection, rural and small-town communities like Crooksville sometimes face challenges — longer drives to screening centers, fewer specialists, and less access to information. That’s why local programs and knowledge are so important.
2. Local Resources for Screening and Support
• Ohio Breast & Cervical Cancer Project (BCCP)
Provides no-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic testing for eligible women.
• Call 1-866-418-4963 or visit medicaid.ohio.gov/BCCP
• Perry County Health Department (serving Crooksville residents)
Offers mammography and BCCP enrollment.
• perrycountyhealth.info/mammography
• Breast Cancer Fund of Ohio (BCFO)
Provides emergency funds for housing, utilities, and medical costs for breast cancer patients.
• Ohio Pink Ribbon Fund
Offers financial assistance to survivors in Southeastern Ohio.
• Cancer Support Community Central Ohio
Virtual and in-person support groups, counseling, and education.
These programs make screenings and support more accessible — even if you’re in a small town.
3. How to Perform a Breast Self-Exam (BSE)
Regular self-exams help women become familiar with their breasts so they can spot changes early. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: In the Mirror
• Stand undressed from the waist up, arms at your sides.
• Look for changes in size, shape, or symmetry, skin dimpling or puckering, or nipple changes (such as inversion or rash).
• Raise your arms above your head and look again, checking for the same changes.
Step 2: While Standing (Shower Method)
• With your right arm raised, use the pads of the three middle fingers of your left hand to examine your right breast.
• Move in a circular pattern from the outer edge toward the nipple, applying light, medium, and firm pressure to feel all tissue layers.
• Cover the entire breast, including the armpit area (breast tissue extends there).
• Repeat for the left breast using your right hand.
Step 3: Lying Down
• Lie on your back with a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head.
• Use the same circular finger pattern to feel the right breast with your left hand.
• Check for lumps, thickened areas, or unusual hardness.
• Squeeze the nipple gently to check for discharge.
• Repeat for the left breast.
What to Look For
• Lumps or hard knots
• Thickened or dense areas different from the surrounding tissue
• Changes in breast size, shape, or contour
• Skin dimpling, redness, or scaliness
• Nipple inversion or unusual discharge
If you notice any of these changes, call your healthcare provider immediately. Most lumps aren’t cancerous, but it’s always safest to have them evaluated.
4. When to Do It
Pick a consistent day each month, ideally 3–5 days after your period ends when breasts are least tender. Postmenopausal women can choose any regular day, like the first of the month.
5. Combine Self-Exams with Professional Screening
Self-exams are helpful but not a substitute for mammograms. Mammography can detect cancers too small to feel. Ask your doctor what screening schedule is right for you based on your age and family history.
6. Bringing Awareness to Crooksville
• Share these self-exam steps at local events, workplaces, and schools.
• Encourage neighbors to check out BCCP for free screenings.
• Support local fundraisers or host “mammogram days” with clinics.
• Wear pink not just as a symbol but as a conversation starter about prevention and resources.
The Bottom Line
Breast cancer awareness starts at home — knowing your body, doing monthly self-exams, and using local screening programs. By combining self-care with community resources, Crooksville can lead the way in early detection and support.