Mammography can be lifesaving

Mammography can be lifesaving. For most women, mammography provides the best way to find breast cancer at an early stage, before a lump is big enough to feel or has spread to other parts of the body. This is when treatment is likely to be most successful. A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of your breasts that can detect many changes that are too small or too deep to feel. Mammograms are considered safe, quick, and relatively painless.

Regular mammograms may detect breast cancer early. Discovering the disease early reduces your risk of drying by 30% or more. Women who find breast cancer early are also less likely to need aggressive treatment and expensive care.

Breast cancer is more common than you realize, so it is important to arm yourself with the facts. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, and one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Don't assume you won't be the one in eight.

The American Cancer Society recommends that:

• Women ages 40–44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms if they wish to do so.
• Women ages 45–54 should get mammograms every year.
• Women 55 and older should switch to mammograms every two years or can continue with yearly screening.
• Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health.

In recent years, cases of breast cancer among women ages 50 and older have declined, due in part to better screening, early detection, increased awareness and improved treatment options.

GEHA covers the cost of a regular mammogram for women age 35 and older at 100%. You can schedule a mammogram through your primary care physician, your OBGYN or through a local diagnostic center. Use the GEHA Find Care tool to locate a provider near you.