Breast Cancer Awareness: Doctors urge New Yorkers to get early cancer screenings

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, doctors in New York City are urging all, especially those at risk, to get breast cancer screenings early.  
Health care workers at the Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center say that early detection can be a lifesaver, and that if you’re 40 years or older or high risk, to not wait to get screened.  
Montefiore says they see over 3,500 people receive a new cancer diagnosis each year just in the Bronx. They say residents in the Bronx are more likely than average to receive a diagnosis at a later stage – something these doctors are trying to change.  
“We have a lot of women of Black race which tend to get breast cancer a little bit earlier,” said Dr. Jessica Pastoriza, breast surgical oncologist at Montefiore. “They should definitely come in at an earlier age to be screened by a doctor, for whether they're high risk or not based on family history.” 
The doctors at this cancer center are looking to break down barriers and reduce skipped annual mammogram appointments and treatments.  
"A lot of our community you know is really scared that if they find something, they're going to die from it and that is not true,” said Dr. Alyson Moadel-Robblee, deputy director of community engagement and cancer health equity at Montefiore. A lot of times when you find it you get cured, you get treated you live a long life." 
The cancer center says that thanks to a recent grant from the American Cancer Society, they’ve added more patient navigators to offer support and help through the screening and treatment process.