Where to get screened for breast cancer during October

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which means throughout the month of October, you will see pink all over the place to increase public knowledge of the disease.

Raising awareness is critically important in Rhode Island, where, according to data from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, has the highest breast cancer diagnosis rate in the country.

Across the country, there are approximately 240,000 new cases of breast cancer in women each year.

Women over 50 years old are recommended to get screened for breast cancer every two years, and women in their 40s are recommended to talk to their doctor about whether they should begin screening yet or not.

You can find your closest screening locations and book an appointment here.

Although Rhode Island has the highest rate of diagnosis, it is also among the lowest in terms of death rates, with the 45th fewest, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Those low death rates are likely thanks to early detection, as the Ocean State has the fourth-highest screening rate in the country.