12
THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, February 25, 2010
To Your Health
Presented by LRGHealthcare
To Screen or Not to Screen: That is the Question
T_he American Cancer Society estimates that in 2009, there were more
“T_he American Cancer Society has been quite strong in their position that women should continue to get
than 192,000 new cases of breast cancer identif_ied in the United States.
regular clinical exams, and that they should begin annual mammograms at the age of 40. While statistically,
the odds of cancer occurring in younger women may be lower, there are many women who have been
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the
diagnosed with breast cancer while in their 40’s, or even as early as their 30’s. Many of us know someone—a
United States, but when caught early, it is treatable.
friend, family member, neighbor, or co-worker—whose life has been saved through early detection.
For many years the American Cancer Society has recommended that all
“LRGHealthcare stands by the American Cancer Society in encouraging women to begin clinical exams at the
women over the age of 20 should have a clinical breast exam by a doctor
age of 20, and mammograms at the age of 40,” says Witkin. “And if you still have questions, talk with your
or nurse every three years; and that once a woman reaches the age of 40,
doctor. Please don’t let a controversial new guideline discourage you from getting a simple screening that
clinical exams should increase in frequency to once each year, and
could save your life.”
annual mammograms should begin. T_he guideline was widely followed
Digital Mammography is now available. Please call today for an appointment: Women’s Imaging Center at
throughout the healthcare community.
Lakes Region General Hospital - 527-2992 • Franklin Regional Hospital - 934-2060, ext. 350
Caring for Women, 734 Main Street, Laconia - 527-1855 • Caring for Women, 96 High Street, Laconia - 527-1855.
But in October, 2009, a government task force came out with new guide-
lines that lef_t many women confused. In their report, the U.S. Preventive
Services Task Force advised that most women should wait until 50
before beginning to get a mammogram once every year or two. T_he
report also said that the benef_it of mammography for women over the
age of 75 is unknown, and that the value of breast exams by doctors is
unknown.
T_he new guidelines did stir up controversy, but they should not
overshadow the value of early detection, explains LRGHealthcare Breast
Health Educator Ginny Witkin, RN. “It is not unusual for new studies to
be released, and guidelines to be questioned,” says Witkin. “In fact, that
is a good thing, as it encourages us to always evaluate new information
to ensure we are utilizing best practices in healthcare. However, there is
nothing in this new information that indicates that we should change
Dollars and Sense
Cost should not be a barrier to any woman in our community getting
a mammogram. Medicare, Medicaid, and most other insurance
plans cover mammograms. There are also programs in our
community to help women access regular mammograms. For a
limited time, through a grant from the National Cancer Foundation,
mammograms and breast ultrasound services are available free to
women in our community who meet financial guidelines!
Call 527-7000 today for more information!
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