FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Doctors use a mammogram to look for early signs of breast cancer. Most women should have their first mammogram at age 40 and then have another mammogram every one or two years.

 

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

When breast cancer starts out, it is too small to feel and does not cause signs and symptoms. As it grows, however, breast cancer can cause changes in how the breast looks or feels. Symptoms may include:

• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)

• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast

• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin

• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast

• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area

• Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood

• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast

• Pain in any area of the breast.

 

Why should I have a mammogram?

Regular mammograms are the best tests doctors have to find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt. When their breast cancer is found early, many women go on to live long and healthy lives.

 

Where can I purchase the pink CFL bulbs?

Pink CFL light bulbs are available free of charge to women that get a mammogram at one of our events. Click here for a list of dates and locations. We also have a limited quantity available for purchase, please contact us for details.

 

How can I lower my risk of breast cancer?

• Control your weight and exercise

• Know your family history of breast cancer. If you have a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer, ask your doctor what is your risk of getting breast cancer and how you can lower your risk

• Find out the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy

• Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

 

Where does our money go?

Power of the Pink does not ask for money from the general public. Through generous funding from our Community Partners, we have been able to contribute over $889,000 to various breast health organizations across the Midwest since 2010.

Komen-Missouri Affiliate: $123,732
Komen-Chicago Affiliate: $85,180
Komen-Memorial Affiliate: $55,645
Komen-Northern Indiana Affiliate: $41,017
Komen-Greater Kansas City Affiliate: $40,230
Komen-Greater Evansville Affiliate: $34,961
MO Dept. of Health & Sr. Services: $29,260
Komen-Indianapolis Affiliate: $25,840
Komen-Nashville: $24,382
Komen-Chattanooga: $17,487
Komen-Knoxville: $17,303
Women’s Cancer Screening Program: $16,898
Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition: $16,471
Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks: $15,156
Komen-Louisville Affiliate: $14,980
Illinois BCCP-Little Egypt/St. Mary’s Hospital: $14,602
Gateway to Hope: $14,209
Illinois BCCP-Prairie State Women’s Health: $13,612
Komen-Upper Cumberland Affiliate: $12,191

Mississippi Breast & Cervical Cancer Detection Program: $12,126

Komen-Wabash Valley Affiliate: $12,068

Komen-Tri-Cities: $10,972

Mercy Hospital-Springfield: $10,757
Illinois BCCP-Winnebago County Health Department: $9,955

Komen-Quad Cities Affiliate: $9,955

Komen-Central Mississippi Affiliate: $8,982
Illinois BCCP-East Central/Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center: $7,746

Marybird Perkins Cancer Center: $7,635

Komen-North East Affiliate: $7,186
Komen-North Mississippi Affiliate: $6,737
Komen-Memphis Mid-South Affiliate: $6,440

Komen-New Orleans Affiliate: $6,287

Komen-Minnesota Affiliate: $5,838

Women’s Way-ND Department of Health: $5,838

Mercy Hospital-Columbus/Joplin: $5,542
Komen-North West LA Affiliate: $5,389

Sage-MN Department of Health: $5,389

Komen-Baton Rouge Affiliate: $4,940

Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Systems: $4,870
Family Health Center of Clark County/BCCP: $4,760

University of TN Medical Center: $4,641
Komen-Acadiana Affiliate: $4,491

Illinois BCCP-Stephenson County Health Department: $4,216

Pink UP-St. Francis Hospital: $3,607

Louisiana Breast & Cervical Health: $3,593

Avera: $3,416

Illinois BCCP-Kankakee County Health Department: $2,893
Black Women Breast Cancer Survivors Project: $2,588

Baptist Hospital: $2,542
Komen-South Dakota Affiliate: $2,422

University of MO Medical Center: $2,284
Open Door Health Services/BCCP: $2,040

Komen-Bayou Affiliate: $1,796

Memphis Health Center: $1,750

Komen-Lexington Affiliate: $1,470
Illinois BCCP-Hancock County Health Department: $1,396

Komen-Greater Cincinnati Affiliate: $1,360

Illinois BCCP-Southern Seven Health Department: $1,332

Illinois BCCP-Montgomery County Health Dept: $1,320

Indiana State Department of Health/BCCP: $680
Illinois BCCP-VNA Healthcare: $609

Wisconsin Breast Cancer Coalition: $449