With National Breast Cancer Awareness Month underway across the country, Governor JB Pritzker and the Ill. Department of Public Health (IDPH) are reminding the public that early detection is the most effective way to prevent the deadly disease.

The Governor had issued a proclamation declaring Oct. as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Oct. 20 as Mammography Day in Ill. However, public health officials are urging Illinoisans not to wait and to schedule a comprehensive exam as soon as possible.

"Regular mammograms can help detect breast cancer at an early stage when treatmentis most successful. T...