“Brake for Breakfast” raises breast cancer awareness

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - This month, hospitals around east Idaho and the country will be participating in the 24th annual Brake for Breakfast event.

It is a free drive through event for the community to get breakfast, goodies and information as part of breast cancer awareness month.

This year's event at Portneuf Health in Pocatello will begin at 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct 4. It will go through 10 a.m. or until supplies run out.

Idaho is 47th in the nation when it comes to women getting screened for breast cancer.

The goal of this event is to remind women to not put off this important test.

Dr. Doug Andersen with Portneuf Cancer Center reminds us what happens if you wait.

"What happens is that we catch the cancer at a higher stage or when it's bigger and that and so to effectively treat the cancer, you have to go through a much more aggressive treatment and and also your risk for it coming back as in spreading to other parts of the body, to bones, etc., is higher," Andersen said. "And the chance of eventually dying from breast cancer is higher. So certainly catching it early is the key."

Advancements in technology have also helped get more women screened. The 3D mammography screening at Portneuf is also a part of its mobile truck. That allows it to be available to more smaller and rural parts of east Idaho.

Many local hospitals and clinics are participating in the Brake for Breakfast at various times in October. Check with them to find out if and when they are taking part and for more information on how to get screened for breast cancer.