ARLINGTON — October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since the program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older and breast cancer deaths have declined.

During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the doctors and staff of Cascade Ear Nose & Throat in Arlington, Mount Vernon and Anacortes pledge their commitment to supporting breast cancer research and education. While progress has been made in the fight against breast cancer, it remains the most frequently diagnosed type of non skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in our country. Cascade Surgery Center wore pink “chemo caps” and offered pink hats to their patients to wear during their surgery Oct. 25 through Oct. 29 to increase public awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer and other cancers.

Cascade ENT staff will also honor their friends or relatives touched by breast cancer by making a donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

For more information about NBCAM, please visit www.nbcam.org. For additional information, please call one of the following toll-free numbers: American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345, National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4-CANCER, or the Breast Cancer Network of Strength at 1-800-221-2141.

The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month program is dedicated to increasing public knowledge about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Fifteen national public service organizations, professional associations, and government agencies comprise the Board of Sponsors, who work together to ensure that the NBCAM message is heard by thousands of women and their families.