April 9th is National Mature Women’s Day.
Remembering to schedule screening exams can be challenging. As we age, the risk of cancer often rises. Take a moment to prioritize self-care and scheduling these important appointments.
Mammogram
A mammogram is an X-ray image of your breasts. It can be used either for breast cancer screening or for diagnostic purposes, such as to investigate symptoms or unusual findings on another imaging test.
The risk for breast cancer increases with age. Most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50. Breast cancer is highly treatable in its early stages, and the outlook is generally very positive.
How often do I need a mammogram?
The American Cancer Society recommends mammography every year for women ages 50-54 and every 1-2 years for women ages 55 and older. Women ages 50-59 who got mammograms on a regular basis had a 14 percent lower risk of dying from breast cancer than women who didn’t get mammograms. If you’re 50-69, talk with your health care provider about how often to get a mammogram.
The Importance of Early Detection
Walker, A. (2022, January 24). The Importance of Early Detection. Real Pink.
Colonoscopy
Yeah, yeah. But you need one. By age 50, you should start getting a colonoscopy every 10 years, no matter your gender or overall health. As you age, your risk of developing polyps and bowel cancer increases. Getting routine colonoscopies helps your doctor find abnormalities early so they can be quickly treated.
Some people can do a Cologuard test instead of a colonoscopy.
- Is designed to detect cancer, not prevent it.
- Can miss up to 8% of colon cancer and more than 50% of pre-cancerous polyps.
- It has a 12% false positive rate (when they think there is a problem but there really isn’t).
A colonoscopy the gold standard for colon cancer detection!
DEXA Scan (Bone Mineral Density Scan)
A DEXA scan, or bone mineral density scan, is an imaging test used to check your bone health.
A DEXA scan can show whether a person’s bones have lost density and have a high risk of fracturing. This can help doctors diagnose and assess osteoporosis, which causes the bones to thin and become more fragile.
Diagnosing and treating osteoporosis early can keep it from worsening and reduce the risk of fractures.
Who needs a DEXA scan?
The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that females aged over 65 and males aged over 70 have at least one DEXA scan. The ideal frequency may vary, depending on the results. People receiving treatment for osteoporosis may require a scan every 1 or 2 years.
The foundation also recommends a scan for anyone who has gone through menopause before age 65 and has any risk factor for low bone density, such as steroid medication use or low body weight. Overall, females tend to develop loss of bone density sooner than males.
Slow down. Make that appointment. Take care of yourself. It could save your life.
Consult your healthcare provider for additional screenings vital to your well-being.
It's About Time 
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