Kelly gets her first breast cancer screening
KOMO • • health
Key Points:
- One in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and mammograms can detect cancer up to two years before it can be physically felt, highlighting the importance of regular screening.
- Annual mammogram screenings are generally recommended for women over 40 at average risk, as early diagnosis can reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer by 40%.
- Risk factors for breast cancer include both major factors like family history and genetic predisposition, as well as smaller factors such as dense breast tissue, smoking, drinking, and never having given birth.
- It is common for doctors to request additional screening after an initial mammogram, but fewer than 10% of women called back for more tests are diagnosed with cancer.
- Results from mammograms often appear on patient portals before doctor review; in the author’s case, the first mammogram was negative, with a recommendation to return for screening in one year.
