By Laura O’Reilly Stanzilis RN MS
Screenings are tests that look for diseases before you have symptoms. Screening tests can find diseases early when they’re easier to treat.
Mammography is the most common screening test for breast cancer.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to screen women who have a high risk of breast cancer.
According to The American Cancer Society
- Women ages 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms (x-rays of the breast) if they wish to do so.
- Women age 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
- Women 55 and older should switch to mammograms every 2 years, or can continue yearly screening.
- Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer.
- All women should be familiar with the known benefits, limitations, and potential harms linked to breast cancer screening.
Be in the know. To learn more go to:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast
Laura is the Executive Director of the North Jersey Health Collaborative and a Community Health Consultant. She can be reached at Laura@ftgwellness.com