Why it’s important to get mammograms

About 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime and it's the second leading cause of death in women. The good news it that according to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected while it's contained to the breast, the survival rate is 99%. The most effective way to detect breast cancer early is via diagnostic mammograms.

Mammograms are a X-ray picture of the breasts that make it possible to detect abnormal growths or lumps that may go undetected during self-examination. Since they were introduced in the 1980's, mammograms have led to 30% fewer deaths from breast cancer among women. Therefore it is extremely important to get annual mammograms, they save lives!

1. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early: Mammograms can find cancers as small as a grain of rice before you or your doctor can feel any changes in your breasts and when it’s easier to treat.
2. They are effective: Research has shown a 30% reduction in deaths from breast cancer among women who regularly screen.
3. They are safe: Mammograms are a non-invasive X-ray, there’s only a tiny amount of radiation exposure.
4. They are a fast procedure: It will take approximately 20 minutes and the discomfort is minimal for most women.
5. Your breast cancer risk increases with age: 80% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women 50 years of age or older.
6. Mammograms save lives: According to the American Cancer Society, there will be 252,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer among women in the United States this year. Early detection saves lives!