Do Something Just For You This October
October 05, 2021-
Your health matters. You matter. This October, schedule your breast exam and mammogram as preventive screenings are important for peace of mind and well-being.
It’s essential to make your healthcare needs a priority to be the healthiest, happiest version of yourself. For women, that includes having regular breast exams, which can help catch cancer earlier — when it’s easier to treat.
UniCare covers screening mammograms 100% when you see a doctor in your plan’s network. While mammograms do expose the breasts to small amounts of radiation, the benefits the X-rays provide outweigh that.2 Thanks to digital advancements women may feel little to no discomfort — and while the whole procedure takes about 20 minutes, the actual X-ray of the breast only lasts seconds.2 It’s also important to do regular breast self-exams. If you notice changes in how your breasts normally look or feel — things like lumps, pain, or skin changes — be sure to tell your doctor as soon as possible.
Risk Factors
To determine your risk for breast cancer, talk to a doctor about your family history and personal medical history. Having a risk factor for breast cancer doesn’t mean you will develop the disease. You may just have a higher chance of developing it than someone who doesn’t have that risk factor.
There are risk factors for breast cancer that you can control to help protect yourself, including:
- Weight: Being overweight or obese after menopause raises the risk for breast cancer.
- Alcohol intake: Limit how much alcohol you drink.
- Physical activity: Women who aren’t active have a higher risk.
- Pregnancy: There’s a higher risk for women who become pregnant for the first time after age 30, who don’t breastfeed, and who have never had a full-term pregnancy.
Recommended Guidelines
Here are recommended guidelines for women at an average risk for breast cancer:
- Ages 40 to 44: Have the option to start receiving annual mammograms
- Ages 45 to 54: Receive yearly mammograms
- Ages 55 and older: Can switch to receiving mammograms every other year
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What is breast cancer screening? (accessed April 2021): cdc.gov.
- American Cancer Society. Breast cancer (accessed May 2021): cancer.org.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: What are the risk factors for breast cancer? (accessed April 2021): cdc.gov.
