Doctors say women should start annual mammograms at age 40 – The Vicksburg Post

VICKSBURG – The American College of Radiology now recommends that women at average risk of breast cancer undergo mammography screening annually starting at age 40. The recommendations are in response to increasing breast cancer diagnoses among younger women and high mortality rates among black women.

In Mississippi, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women – more than twice as common as lung cancer, the second most common cancer. There were 272,454 new cases of breast cancer reported in women in the United States in 2021, the most recent data available.

Women with a strong family history of breast cancer, African Americans, and women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent should have a risk assessment at age 25 to determine whether a screening mammogram is necessary before age 40. Women previously diagnosed with breast cancer are recommended to be examined with magnetic resonance imaging and MRI.

“The best chance of survival for cancer is early diagnosis and treatment,” said Dr. Thomas Weeks. “Mammograms can detect cancer before any symptoms such as a lump or spread of disease appear, which can increase the likelihood of recovery.”

Early detection saves lives

Although breast cancer mortality has declined in recent years, breast cancer remains the second most common cancer-related death in women. Lung cancer is the most common.

Fortunately, a screening mammogram can help detect breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages. Merit Health River Region encourages women to schedule their screening now because when breast cancer is detected early, life-saving treatment can begin immediately.

According to the American Cancer Society, Women who have regular mammograms are more likely to have breast cancer detected earlier, are less likely to need aggressive treatments such as surgery to remove the entire breast (mastectomy) and chemotherapy, and are more likely to be cured.

Merit Health River Region is an American College of Radiology accredited mammography facility. It offers 3D mammography exams and 3D breast biopsies.

To schedule a mammogram, call 601-883-5016. To find a family doctor or gynecologist, visit https://www.merithealthvicksburgdocs.com/ob-gyn.

About Merit Health

Merit Health serves the healthcare needs of Mississippians through its 9 affiliated hospitals. The health system offers a wide range of services including orthopedics, cardiology, women’s health, emergency departments and comprehensive diagnostic medical and surgical services. The network has more than 1,700 licensed beds, more than 2,500 physicians across the active medical staff, more than 3,000 employees, and more than 40,000 admissions and more than 250,000 emergency department visits annually.