Real Women Share Why They Don’t Skip Breast Screenings

Just like they celebrate a birthday every year, it’s recommended that women have a mammogram annually if they're at or over the age 40.[1] To-do lists can get long and women's lives are so busy, but mammograms are just too important to miss.

Even when women conduct regular breast self-exams, those don't always reveal a potential trouble spot like a calcification or mass—especially if it's small. A mammogram can help find breast cancer in the earliest stage, when it's most treatable. A November 2018 study in the journal Cancer found that women who were screened regularly for breast cancer have a 47 percent lower risk of dying from the disease within 20 years of diagnosis than those not regularly screened.[2]

The whole screening mammogram procedure takes about 20 minutes[3], and if the radiologist determines further diagnostics are needed, Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography, ultrasound, or an MRI might also be ordered. The mammogram is often the first stop on the lifelong journey to maintaining breast health.

Some women postpone mammograms because they find them uncomfortable or even a little painful. It's always helpful for women to communicate openly with the technologist, specially trained to help make the experience more pleasant, while ensuring the highest quality images. It's also best not to schedule a mammogram a week before a period, or during that time when breasts might be slightly swollen or tender.

In today’s world, COVID-19 has caused many women to postpone their screenings, which can result in missed or delayed cancer diagnosis and treatment. It’s more important now than ever that women don’t skip these essential screenings.