Prioritizing our health can be challenging. Gallup finds that more than 60 percent of women report that barriers keep them from protecting their well-being. The leading culprit: It feels too overwhelming.
No wonder. In addition to navigating non-negotiable demands on our time, women often receive conflicting guidance on what may be best for our long-term health. We’re told to “do this” or “avoid that,” from buying the latest fitness trackers to eliminating entire food groups.
Rather than giving in to the noise or shutting down, women need to stick to fundamentals. By following science-backed practices that work–avoiding tobacco products, eating a balanced diet, staying active, and getting enough sleep–we can significantly reduce our risk of serious diseases while improving our quality of life.
Another pillar of safeguarding our health: Receiving regular health screenings, including mammograms. Supported by decades of peer-reviewed research, these tools are just as important as adopting smart lifestyle habits.
That’s why a recent announcement by the American College of Physicians (ACP) is so alarming. ACP’s guidance goes directly against leading medical organizations, such as the American Cancer Society (ACS). It suggests that women not begin breast cancer screenings until age 50–a full decade later than experts recommend–and only every other year. ACP also fails to include additional guidance for patients with dense breast tissue–approximately 40 percent of all women–who may benefit from supplemental screenings, such as ultrasounds, in addition to their annual mammograms.
What’s ACP’s rationale for its change of course? The possibility of false positives. While there is a potential risk with any medical test, it’s important to recognize that the benefits of mammography far outweigh any risks, such as temporary anxiety from a callback. The science is clear that delaying screening is dangerous. In fact, the American College of Radiology predicts that only screening women ages 50-74 every other year, as ACP suggests, may result in up to 10,000 additional and unnecessary breast cancer deaths annually.
Medical experts refer to mammograms as the “gold standard” of breast cancer screening for a reason. Safe and effective, annual screening beginning at age 40 results in the “highest reduction in mortality with minimal risks,” according to the Radiological Society of America. ACS puts it even more bluntly: regular mammograms are the “most reliable way to find breast cancer early,” leading to less aggressive treatment, better survival and enhanced quality of life. When breast cancer is detected earlier in the localized stage, the ACS notes that the five-year survival rate is more than 99 percent.
On many days, our time feels especially short and our stress feels high. But taking care of our health and well-being should always be a priority–and that includes getting screened for breast cancer. The Breast Center at CARTI encourages women of average risk to begin receiving annual mammograms at age 40. We also encourage patients to receive a breast cancer risk assessment from their health care providers by age 25 to determine whether earlier or additional screening may be needed.
At CARTI, we want women to have the facts, and the confidence to take charge of their breast health. There’s no confusion about it: Early detection saves lives from breast cancer, and insurance is required to cover annual mammograms for women 40 years and older. If you or your loved ones have questions about your risk of breast cancer or want to schedule a screening, visit CARTI.com or call (501) 537-MAMO.
Stacy Smith-Foley, M.D., is a fellowship-trained breast imaging specialist and the founding physician of The Breast Center at CARTI, who sees patients at CARTI Cancer Center Little Rock and El Dorado.
Original source: us