The importance of getting a mammogram
According to the American Cancer Society, Washington state has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in the country. No one knows why, but we do.
More than 5,500 women in our state are diagnosed with the disease each year -- that's 107 women per week, or 16 women every day. That's why a yearly mammogram is so important for women age 40 and older.
Dr. Connie Lehman, director of breast imaging at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, says there are three reasons why women don't get their mammogram: fear, lack of awareness and money.
"I think women are afraid of the pain they associate with a mammogram, but I think mainly they're afraid of breast cancer," said Lehman. "The experience of getting a mammogram is being associated with the fear of being told, 'I have breast cancer.'"
But that's not a very healthy train of thought, according to Lehman.
"We want women to understand that it is not breast cancer so much they should fear but having a late-stage diagnosis," she said. "And getting a mammogram is a positive, healthy way to make sure if you have breast cancer it's detected early when we can cure it."
And Lehman says a mammogram should not be painful. She urges patients to talk to their doctors and the technologist taking the exam about that.
So when should a woman start getting a mammogram?
"Every woman 40 and older, we want to see have a mammogram every year. And if a woman is at high risk, has a strong family history, we may want to start that even earlier."
One way Lehman is trying to get women to get their mammogram is with a new Web site, MammogramPromise.org.
"Already thousands of women have logged on, and mainly what they're saying is, 'I'm going to make a promise.'" Lehman said.
Women are urged to make a promise to family members or a friend to get a mammogram this year.
"And we want to make it fun," said Lehman. "We're trying to have some women who might be afraid or think that the mammogram is something they want to avoid, to see that this is a fun thing. This is what women do together to help each other out."
Lehman says there's a lot of good news about the treatment of breast cancer.
"More women are surviving breast cancer than ever before. We have new treatments that are improving outcomes. These are great things," she said.
And remember, early detection is key with breast cancer.
"If we detect breast cancer early, we cure it. And that's what we want to do," Lehman said.
If income is an obstacle, contact the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for assistance. The group can also be reached by phone at (206) 288-7800.
For more information:
Breast Cancer Facts
More than 5,500 women in our state are diagnosed with the disease each year -- that's 107 women per week, or 16 women every day. That's why a yearly mammogram is so important for women age 40 and older.
Dr. Connie Lehman, director of breast imaging at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, says there are three reasons why women don't get their mammogram: fear, lack of awareness and money.
"I think women are afraid of the pain they associate with a mammogram, but I think mainly they're afraid of breast cancer," said Lehman. "The experience of getting a mammogram is being associated with the fear of being told, 'I have breast cancer.'"
But that's not a very healthy train of thought, according to Lehman.
"We want women to understand that it is not breast cancer so much they should fear but having a late-stage diagnosis," she said. "And getting a mammogram is a positive, healthy way to make sure if you have breast cancer it's detected early when we can cure it."
And Lehman says a mammogram should not be painful. She urges patients to talk to their doctors and the technologist taking the exam about that.
So when should a woman start getting a mammogram?
"Every woman 40 and older, we want to see have a mammogram every year. And if a woman is at high risk, has a strong family history, we may want to start that even earlier."
One way Lehman is trying to get women to get their mammogram is with a new Web site, MammogramPromise.org.
"Already thousands of women have logged on, and mainly what they're saying is, 'I'm going to make a promise.'" Lehman said.
Women are urged to make a promise to family members or a friend to get a mammogram this year.
"And we want to make it fun," said Lehman. "We're trying to have some women who might be afraid or think that the mammogram is something they want to avoid, to see that this is a fun thing. This is what women do together to help each other out."
Lehman says there's a lot of good news about the treatment of breast cancer.
"More women are surviving breast cancer than ever before. We have new treatments that are improving outcomes. These are great things," she said.
And remember, early detection is key with breast cancer.
"If we detect breast cancer early, we cure it. And that's what we want to do," Lehman said.
If income is an obstacle, contact the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for assistance. The group can also be reached by phone at (206) 288-7800.
For more information:
Breast Cancer Facts