Mammograms Are Essential

Death rates from breast cancer have been steadily declining since 1989. Although better treatment accounts for some of this reduction the rise in screening mammography is equally important. There is no doubt that screening mammograms save women’s lives.

The American Cancer Society estimates that 4,400 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in 1999 and 1100 women died from this disease. The incidence of breast cancer rises with age. By the age of 40, 1 in 217 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, 1/50 women by age 50 and by the age of 80 1 in 10 women will be affected. Most women who develop breast cancer do not have a family history of this disease.

The American Cancer Society, along with other organizations, evaluates trends in cancer cases and deaths. When looking at the incidence of breast cancer and deaths from this disease several trends are apparent. The number of women diagnosed with breast cancer increased about 1% a year from 1940-1982. From 1982-1988 the rate increased to 4% a year. During this time the number of small tumors almost doubled while the incidence of large tumor detection actually decreased. The number of newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer have remained stable since 1990. So what happened in the 1980s?

The rapid increase in breast cancer rates during the 1980s was due to increased detection of smaller tumors through mammography screening. Mammograms (an x-ray of breast tissue) can find tumors that are too small to be detected on a physical exam. Detecting a cancer at an earlier stage means that it is much more easily treated. This partly accounts for the steady decreases in breast cancer deaths since 1989. Deaths from breast cancer are decreasing by approximately 2% a year, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Women should start regular self -breast exams in their late teen years. Although the risk of a cancer is negligible at this young age, it helps young women develop good health habits. As importantly they learn what a normal breast feels like and may be more likely to detect significant changes as they get older. All women age 40 and over should perform monthly self-breast exams, have a yearly breast exam by their physician and have a yearly mammogram. In women age 50 or over this will reduce the chances of dying from breast cancer by about 30%.

Many insurance companies, Medicaid and Medicare will pay for the cost of regular mammograms. The federal government has a program to provide breast and cervical cancer screening to women who cannot afford to pay for this themselves or whose insurance does not cover this screening test. Called The Womens Health Network (BCCI) this program will pay for physical exams, pap smears, mammograms and follow up diagnostic testing if indicated. To find out if you qualify for this program call 508-830-2313 or 2314.

Women may delay mammograms because of a mistaken belief that they cause cancer (not true!) or that they are painful. Some are afraid to "find anything wrong." On the contrary, a breast cancer will continue to grow if present; detecting and treating an early cancer can be life saving. If you, family members or friends have been putting off getting a yearly mammogram I encourage you to call your doctor and make an appointment for a breast exam and mammogram. It could save your life.