1 / 4 Next Page
Information
Show Menu
1 / 4 Next Page
Page Background

MEMORIAL’S GUIDE TO HEALING AND WELLNESS •

FALL 2016

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Midland, MI

Permit No. 8

210 Marie Langdon Drive

Manchester, KY 40962

C

ONFUSED about mammograms? It’s

no surprise. With all the contradictory

information out there, you may wonder

when you need a mammogram—or even if you

do. Take a deep breath. Here are four key facts

about these breast x-rays you can trust.

1.

Mammograms are still No. 1 for early

detection.

They may spot a tumor up to three

years before it’s big enough to feel. Treatment is

more likely to be a success when breast cancer is

caught early.

This doesn’t mean mammograms are per-

fect. They may miss some cancers or cause false

alarms. But all medical tests have limitations.

And most doctors agree that mammograms help

save thousands of women’s lives every year.

2. 

You have a choice about when to be

screened.

After a thorough review of mammo-

grams’ risks and benefits, the American Cancer

Society (ACS) now advises most women to start

yearly screening at age 45—not 40. And this

more conservative approach also calls for women

to switch to screening every two years at age 55.

But the guidelines also emphasize that

women who want to start yearly screening at 40

should still have that choice. They also say that

women 55 and older who want to continue with

yearly mammograms should have this option too.

So talk with your doctor about what’s best for

you. And remember: Your preferences matter.

3. 

You probably don’t need the extra protec-

tion of an MRI.

The ACS advises women at

high risk for breast cancer—for example, those

with certain genetic mutations—to get an MRI

plus a mammogram every year. But for women

at average risk, MRIs aren’t necessary.

4.

Most callbacks aren’t cancer.

If doctors see

something suspicious on your mammogram,

they’ll ask you to return for a repeat x-ray or

other tests. Try not to be alarmed. Less than

10 percent of women who need more tests turn

out to have cancer.

4 key facts

MAMMOGRAMS

October is

Breast Cancer

Awareness Month

The best protection is early

detection. Call

(606) 598-5104

to get your screening scheduled today.

KEY SCREENING TESTS

By age for

WOMEN

CHLAMYDIA

All ages—test yearly through age 24 if sexually active.

BLOOD PRESSURE

Be screened at least every 2 years.

CHOLESTEROL

Be screened every 4 to 6 years.

CERVICAL CANCER

Starting at 21, have a Pap test every 3 years.

CHLAMYDIA

Continue screening, depending on risk factors.

DIABETES

Be screened at least every 3 years (or earlier based

on risk factors).

BREAST CANCER

Start having mammograms.

COLORECTAL CANCER

Talk to your doctor about screening options.

LUNG CANCER

Be screened annually based on your history of

smoking.

OSTEOPOROSIS

Start screening (or earlier based on risk factors).

CERVICAL CANCER

Have a Pap test plus an HPV test every 5 years

(preferred) or a Pap test every 3 years.*

20

25

30

45

50

55

65

These recommendations are for most women. Talk with your doctor about what’s right for you.

*Women who have been screened regularly and had normal results can stop screening at age 66.

Sources: American Cancer Society; American Heart Association; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services