Even with a raise in awareness, still, many women don’t know when to start breast cancer screenings. Here are some helpful tips:
- Get routine breast cancer screening exams to find cancer early – when it’s easiest to treat. The most recent recommendations suggest that women get screened starting at age 40, and have a mammogram every two years. Those who are at higher risk may need to be screened earlier and more often. Ask your on-site clinic provider or care team what’s right for you.
- If breast cancer runs in your family, ask your care team about genetic screening and testing. Women are nearly twice as likely to develop breast cancer if their mother, sister or daughter had it.
- Take steps to help lower your chance of getting breast cancer. For example:
- Be active and move your body most days – a brisk walk is great exercise
- Keep a healthy weight
- Eat healthy foods and limit alcohol
- Get enough sleep
- Don’t smoke or vape, and steer clear of other people’s smoke too
- Tell your doctor about your family history of breast cancer
4. Breast cancer affects men, too, although it is much more common in women.
Many women skip mammograms, which puts them at risk of not finding breast cancers at the earliest stages when they are most treatable. Use October to get back on track and schedule your mammogram today!
