When October rolls around, most people think of pumpkins and Halloween. But October is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s a great time for women to learn about the importance of good breast care. Today, breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer among women.

According to Johns Hopkins Medical Center, 40% of breast cancer cases are detected through self-exams. Most experts refer to a five-step process for self-exams. Education is an important first step to breast cancer awareness.

For preventive care, women should consult their doctor to learn how often to get a mammogram. A mammogram is an X-ray screening that radiologists use to detect breast cancer. It’s also good practice for women to perform self-examinations at least once a month.

There is about a 95% cure rate for women with stage zero breast cancer. And there is a high cure rate for stage-one, as well as stage-two, cancer.

There are many funding resources for women who want but can’t afford to get screened for breast cancer. These include the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., and the American Cancer Society.

Spread the word about mammograms and encourage communities, organizations, families and individuals to get involved in efforts to fight breast cancer. If you or someone you know wants to learn more about early detection and good breast care, visit the American Cancer Society at Cancer.org.