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Women missing yearly exams
Comments 0 | Recommend 0Mammograms can save your life, only if you choose to have a yearly screening exam.
We are seeing a trend in the women's health care that we do not like to see. For one reason or another, women are not getting their yearly exam or just neglecting to get the exam scheduled. Early detection is only good if you've had your screening done.
I have seen this happen in my profession so many times when women put off their exam or just skip it all together for a year or two and they think oh well it won't hurt anything or anyone, but think again. The life you may be hurting is your own and your loved ones by not making a good choice in health care for a yearly screening mammogram. Also, breast tumors cannot be diagnosed in their early stages unless the yearly exam is done on a consistent basis.
At age 40 all women should have a screening exam, and if you have a family history of breast cancer, you need to start your baseline exams even earlier than 40. It would be a good idea to discuss this with your health care practitioner. All women can be a self-referral for a screening exam above the age of 35. There also are programs available for women who need assistance with getting a mammogram and a pap test through the women's preventative health care project. Call them and see if you qualify.
Facts tell us that one in eight women will get breast cancer in her lifetime. We at the Medical Park Women's Health Center want to encourage women to have their yearly exam and not put it off until the end of the year when we really get extremely busy. Why not schedule your appointment this summer and avoid the rush at the holiday time? Regardless of where you get your test done, it is vital that you have your yearly screening mammogram.
Our mammograms are read by a board certified, fellowship trained radiologist with many years of experience. I want to encourage all women who have not scheduled their exam to do so, and we will be glad to be of service to each and every one of you. Don't wait.
Kathy Anders is a staff mammographer at the Medical Park/Women's Health Center.
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