Doctors say women should start getting annual mammograms at age 40 – The Vicksburg Post

VICKSBURG – The American College of Radiology now recommends that women at average risk of breast cancer have annual screening mammograms starting at age 40. These guidelines were created in response to the increase in breast cancer diagnoses in young women and the high death rate among black women.

In Mississippi, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women, more than twice as common as lung cancer, the second most common cancer. In 2021, there were 272,454 new cases of breast cancer in women in the United States, according to data for the last year.

Women with a strong family history of breast cancer, African Americans, and people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent should have a risk assessment at age 25 to determine if a screening mammogram is needed before age 40. Women who have previously been diagnosed with breast cancer are recommended to undergo an examination using magnetic resonance imaging and MRI.

“The best chance of survival for any cancer is early diagnosis and treatment,” said Thomas Weeks, MD. — Mammograms can detect cancer before there are any symptoms, such as a lump or spread, which can increase the chance of a cure. »

Early detection saves lives

Although breast cancer deaths have declined in recent years, it remains the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Lung cancer is the most common.

Fortunately, screening mammography can help detect breast cancer in its early, most treatable stages. Merit Health River Region encourages women to schedule their screenings now because when breast cancer is detected early, life-saving treatment can begin immediately.

According to the American Cancer Society, women who get regular mammograms are more likely to detect breast cancer earlier, are less likely to need aggressive treatments such as surgery to remove the entire breast (mastectomy) and chemotherapy, and are more likely to be cured.

Merit Health River Region is an American College of Radiology accredited mammography facility. It offers 3D mammography and 3D breast biopsy.

To schedule a mammogram, call 601-883-5016. To find a primary care physician or OB/GYN, visit https://www.merithealthvicksburgdocs.com/ob-gyn.

About Merit Health

Merit Health serves the medical needs of Mississippians through 9 affiliated hospitals. The health care system offers a wide range of services, including orthopedics, cardiology, women’s health, emergency departments, and extensive diagnostic medical and surgical services. The network has more than 1,700 licensed beds, more than 2,500 physicians on staff, more than 3,000 employees, and more than 40,000 hospitalizations and more than 250,000 emergency department visits each year.