May is National Women's Health Month. The month empowers women to make their health a priority and understand steps they can take to improve their health. One important step is talking to your doctor about screening for breast cancer by getting a mammogram.
Mammograms check for breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms of the disease. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all women aged 40 years or older get a mammogram every other year to reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer. This advice applies to women at average risk of breast cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among U.S. women. Early diagnosis and treatment can save lives.
Mammograms are especially important for Black women, as they are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at younger ages, with more aggressive forms of breast cancer, and 40% more likely to die of this disease.
Please contact your healthcare provider for more information on this important health screening. You can also learn more at the National Cancer Institute’s Mammograms website.