Each year hundreds of thousands of Canadians lace up their shoes for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, held in cities across the country. They do it to raise money for research, education and advocacy work, but also to increase awareness鈥攂ecause breast cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in Canadian women.

Luckily, B.C. has one of the lowest incidence rates and has the second lowest mortality rate of breast cancer in Canada. This year an estimated 3,600 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in B.C., and an estimated 610 will die from it. However, B.C. is a national leader in cancer prevention and treatment.

Mammograms are important. They help find cancer in its earliest stages, when there are more treatment options and a better chance for successful treatment. In fact, research has shown a 25 per cent reduction in deaths from breast cancer among women who are screened through the screening mammography program.

Sometimes, access to mammography can be an issue for those in rural and remote communities. B.C.鈥檚 mobile mammography service visits more than 120 rural communities across B.C., including more than 35 First Nations communities annually, and performs about 10 per cent of the total number of screening mammograms in B.C. each year.

Earlier this year, the government unveiled a new digital mobile mammography program. While similar to a film mammogram in that both use X-rays, the film is replaced by solid-state detectors that convert the image to a digital one. Digital mammograms can be beneficial for viewing dense breast tissue, most commonly found in younger women.

Screening mammograms are available for women ages 40 and over, every two years. If you are interested in making a mammogram appointment, you can go online to find a clinic near you鈥攋ust visit www.screeningbc.ca/breast and look for the Clinic Locator. It will show local health care facilities offering mammogram services, as well as dates when a mobile unit might be in your community.

These programs and technologies are an example of how we are committed to providing health services and timely access to mammography breast screening to all communities.

Breast cancer is an issue that affects many of us. Whether you鈥檙e a patient, a survivor, or a family member or friend of someone with breast cancer鈥攃onsider taking part in this year鈥檚 Run for the Cure in 91大黄鸭 or supporting someone who is participating.

The one- or five-kilometre walk or run goes Oct. 4 in City Park. For info call 1-844-786-2873 or email kelowna@cbcfrun.org. Register online at cibcrunforthecure.supportcbcf.com.