Tag: exams
Breast Health Awareness – Find Free Or Low Cost Mammograms
by admin on Mar.27, 2010, under Womens Interest
Most women know the importance of having a yearly mammogram once they\’ve reached the age of 40. However, there are many women who have let years go by without scheduling their mammogram. Even though there are groups who sponsor programs to get the word out year after year, splattering the media with pink ribbons and information, women sometimes still fall behind in this crucial tool in their breast health.
There are several reasons why women may postpone getting their mammogram. Some women believe that if they are vigilant about doing breast self-exams, or if they have clinical exams done, they are doing all they should be doing to detect breast lumps and irregularities.
The Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, has determined that mammograms do a far better job of detecting smaller lumps and irregularities than breast self-exam does, or even clinical exams. Because early detection is the key to lessening the risk of dying from breast cancer, a mammogram is a crucial part of the successful outcome for a breast cancer patient.
Put simply, a mammogram is an actual X-ray of the breast tissue. Even before a lump can be felt by a woman or her doctor, the x-ray can pick up the appearance of a lump or irregularity. This early detection by the mammogram will give the doctor and patient a wider range of options for treatment and cure.
You may think that you are so skilled at performing breast self-exams that there\’s no possibility that a lump would get past you. Studies prove that this is not the case. A routine mammogram along with your monthly self-exams is the best way to ensure your continued breast health awareness.
The statistics can often alarm us. According to the National Cancer Institute, 1 in 8 women born today will battle breast cancer sometime during their life. The statistics, however, only come down to 1 – and that 1 is me. If I want to arm myself with the best weapon available to me right now against dying from breast cancer, wouldn\’t I choose a yearly mammogram? Early detection is the key to winning the battle against breast cancer, and mammograms provide the best tool to receive the earliest detection possible.
Now, to the reality of why some women are not getting their yearly mammogram. Insurance. Many women who agree that mammograms are crucial to their breast health feel they have no choice. They either lack insurance or they are under-insured. These women simply feel they can not afford a mammogram.
If you are thinking that you can\’t afford a mammogram, think again. Start by calling your local hospital or clinic and ask about low cost or free programs during the month of October in observance of National Breast Health Awareness Month. These programs fill up quickly, so call right away and schedule an appointment. The hospital may direction you to a state or local program that could offer an array of health care including your yearly mammogram and annual exam, along with other care you may need if your test results warrant further examination.
If you think you can\’t afford a mammogram this year, call your local hospital or go online to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), or the American Cancer Society for information about free or low cost programs in your area. Don\’t let another October go by without making that call to set up your appointment for a mammogram.
