Friday marked the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. About 1 in 8 women will develop the illness in their lifetime.

Hackensack University Medical Center kicked off the month with its annual event that encourages women to know the signs of breast cancer and to get checked.

"It's really important to get your mammogram every year. Breast cancer is very common. The most common risk factor for breast cancer is just being a woman and getting older,” says Dr. Gail Starr.

Anyone who missed an appointment during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic is urged to get screened as soon as possible.