STRONG — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Strong Area Health Center is celebrating by encouraging local women to schedule life-saving mammograms.

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women in the United States and the risk increases with age. According to the Centers for Disease Control, having regular mammograms – an X-ray of the breast – increases early detection and lowers the risk of dying from breast cancer.

Any woman who schedules a mammogram during October at the Strong Area Health Center will receive a free travel mug and be entered to win a gift basket filled with breast cancer awareness items.

“Every year we try to raise awareness around breast cancer and ways to prevent it,” said practice manager Jewellyn Baker. “This year we wanted to involve the community with our efforts.”

The health center is also sponsoring a food/personal care item drive this month. Donation boxes will be located in the waiting room, as well as other local businesses, where anyone is welcome to donate items that will go the Salem Economic Ministry, a local food pantry that serves hundreds of families each year.

“There will also be a tree of hope in the waiting area for patients to place a pink ribbon in honor of a breast cancer survivor or someone who has lost a battle with cancer or is currently battling cancer,” said Baker. “We hope these efforts will raise awareness and maybe even save a life.”

For more information about the Strong Area Health Center’s breast cancer awareness efforts or to schedule a mammogram, call 684-4010. The center is a practice of HealthReach Community Health Centers, a system of 11 federally qualified health centers in central and western Maine.

A private, nonprofit organization with a 35-year history, HealthReach is funded by patient fees, grants and individual donations.