October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an important time to raise awareness and encourage women to prioritize mammograms and early detection. Health officials across South Dakota, including Sioux Falls, urge women to schedule breast cancer screenings to improve survival outcomes.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in South Dakota and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death in the state. Nationally, it ranks as the second leading cause of cancer death among women, after lung cancer, and is the top cause of cancer death for non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Early detection through regular mammograms significantly increases survival chances. The National Breast Cancer Foundation notes that mammography has helped reduce breast cancer mortality in the U.S. by nearly 40% since 1990, underscoring the life-saving power of screening.
Breast Cancer Statistics in South Dakota
Approximately 613 women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually in South Dakota.
About 115 women die from the disease each year.
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime.
The five-year relative survival rate for invasive breast cancer is 90.6%, largely because many cases are detected early.
Free and Low-Cost Screening Programs
South Dakota’s “All Women Count!” program helps uninsured or underinsured women ages 40 to 64 access free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings, including mammograms. This program partners with over 250 healthcare facilities statewide—family clinics, hospitals, and mobile mammography units—to provide services.
Eligible women receive both screening and diagnostic services without out-of-pocket expenses, as the program pays providers directly.
In Minnehaha County, more than 1,700 women qualified for the program in 2023-2024, with additional unmet need among eligible women in Lincoln County and surrounding areas.
Where to Schedule Mammograms in Sioux Falls and Nearby
Several providers offer mammogram services in Sioux Falls, including Avera Health and Sanford Health, both recommending annual screenings starting at age 40—or earlier if personal or family risk factors exist.
Avera Health Locations Include:
- Avera Breast Center – Prairie Center, 1000 E. 23rd St.
- Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, 1325 S. Cliff Ave.
- Multiple Avera Medical Group clinics in Sioux Falls and surrounding towns.
Sanford Health Locations Include:
- Edith Sanford Breast Center, 1210 W. 18th St.
- Sanford Women’s Health Plaza, 5019 S. Western Ave.
- Clinics in Madison, Harrisburg, Canton, Hartford, Beresford, and beyond.
Both health systems also operate mobile 3D mammography units visiting Sioux Falls and nearby communities such as Brandon, Garretson, Tea, Canistota, and Lennox, increasing access for women with limited transportation.
Why Regular Screening Matters
Despite advances, mammogram screenings have recently declined in the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, with only about half of women aged 65-74 receiving an annual mammogram. Health experts emphasize mammograms detect breast cancer up to three years before symptoms appear, allowing earlier and more effective treatment.
Risk factors include age, genetics, family history, breast density, postmenopausal obesity, inactivity, and alcohol use. While some risks cannot be changed, maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, limiting alcohol intake, and discussing hormone use and family history with a doctor can reduce your risk.
Dr. Sarah Schatz of Sanford Health calls breast screening “the cornerstone of early detection,” empowering women to take control of their health and save lives.
Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month and National Mammography Day (October 17) by scheduling your screening. Early detection is the best defense—schedule your mammogram today.
Related topics
Breast Cancer Awareness Month Celebrates 40 Years with Renewed Call to Action
Netherlands to Introduce New HPV Vaccine Offering Broader Protection in 2026
Do Collagen Supplements Really Improve Skin Health? What Experts Say
