RWJBarnabas Health Reminder: Women 40 and Older Should Schedule an Annual Mammogram
One in eight women will experience breast cancer in her lifetime, but fortunately, early detection can save lives and make treatment easier.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey are encouraging all women ages 40 and older to schedule their annual mammograms. Rutgers Cancer Institute is the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and leading cancer program.
If you're not familiar with mammograms, they are low-dose X-rays of your breasts and can detect cancer or other disorders before lumps can be found. Specifically, they could show tumors or clusters of calcium specs, which can be an early sign of breast cancer. If a screening mammogram shows a potential abnormality, the patient likely would be asked to return for a more focused mammogram or other testing.
The X-ray involved in the screening mammogram takes less than a minute, and radiologists will refer to prior mammograms each year when evaluating new X-rays.
No prescription is required for a screening mammogram, and it's easy to find a breast health center that is both welcoming and close to home. Visit rwjbh.org/mammo to learn more and make an appointment for a mammogram today.
