October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Matt Brooks: [00:00:00] Good morning. I’m Matt Brooks on X101
Always Classic in for another Cancer Prevention Segment with the CSP
program of Cayuga, Cortland, and Tompkins Counties. And back in the
studio with me is Courtney Maxson, Senior Public Health Educator from
the Cortland County Health Department. It is October.
Courtney, how’s it going?
Courtney Maxson: It’s going great.
Matt Brooks: Do you have a costume ready yet for the end of the
month?
Courtney Maxson: No, but I think the kids are going to go as Scooby-
Doo characters.
Matt Brooks: Oh, that is a good one. That’s that’s a good classic
though.
Courtney Maxson: Yes, Velma. Daphne and I think Grayson’s going to
be, Scooby
Matt Brooks: Just gonna leave out Fred?
Courtney Maxson: Yeah, we don’t have Fred. We’re gonna have to find
a Fred.
Matt Brooks: Well, while, while you’re finding a Fred, we do have a
couple awareness months today to talk about Liver Cancer Awareness
Month is one. Well, how do you screen for liver cancer? Is it just a
doctor’s appointment?
Courtney Maxson: Definitely go to the doctor,they will do like blood
work to see if there’s any indicators for like enzymes or anything that is
off with the blood work. And, that’s how we check for some abnormalities
in the liver or a, an ultrasound.
Matt Brooks: Now the other [00:01:00] awareness month, this is a big
one. every October it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

And there’s a lot of resources that people can go to to make sure that
things are going properly.
Courtney Maxson: Yes. So, mammograms going to your primary care
provider for a breast exam, that’s really important. Scheduling any,
breast ultrasound or mammogram that needs to be done, especially if
you haven’t done it or you haven’t done this in a while.
It’s time to go. if there’s any lumps or bumps or anything that you’re
finding, that needs to be checked out. Definitely now’s the time.
Matt Brooks: And is there a specific age range that you should start
getting mammograms?
Courtney Maxson: Yes. It’s recommended starting at 40, women,
definitely start going for your mammograms.
And men. You can also be diagnosed with breast cancer too.
Matt Brooks: Oh, I, I did not know that.
Courtney Maxson: Yes.
Matt Brooks: That’s, but another thing to mention as well is that that’s
the age range. But if you have family history, this is definitely one that, to
[00:02:00] go earlier.
Courtney Maxson: Yes. Family history can play, a part in this. However,
the majority, 90% of women and and men that are diagnosed with breast
cancer do not have family history.
So it’s important to remember that everybody is at, can be at risk or at a
higher risk. So definitely get screened.
Matt Brooks: Now to get screened. You were talking about the, the
mammogram. I know back at the beach party over the summer, the
Mammogram Van.
Courtney Maxson: Yes.

Matt Brooks: If people, need help scheduling such an appointment or
especially if they don’t have health insurance, where should people go?
Courtney Maxson: Great. Yes. Come to the Cancer Services Program.
We are having a Mammogram Van at the Cortland County Office
Building on the 23rd of October, so that’ll be there. you can contact us at
607-758-5523.
Matt Brooks: Oh. Thank you again for, joining me on, the segment,
Courtney, and, gosh, it’s gonna be 2026 before we know it.
Courtney Maxson: I can’t believe that.
Matt Brooks: For another edition of the Cancer Prevention Segment
with the CSP [00:03:00] program of Cayuga, Cortland, and Tompkins
Counties, I’m Matt Brooks.