Be around for countless family dinners, movie nights and birthday parties to come. Set up your free or low-cost breast cancer screening with the Care for Yourself program by contacting us or calling 1-866-339-7909.
Why are breast cancer screenings important?
In 2020 alone, it was estimated that 276,480 new cases of breast cancer would occur among women in the U.S. While in Iowa, it was estimated that 2,700 women would be diagnosed with breast cancer and nearly 390 would die from this disease. Only lung cancer causes more cancer deaths among Iowa women.
Breast cancer can be scary, but when found early, you have more treatment choices and a better chance of recovery. That’s why it’s so important you get screened, especially if you have any symptoms of breast cancer, including:
- A new lump/thickening or anything that feels different in or around the breasts
- Swelling or tenderness, pain or dimpling of the breasts or nipples
- Puckering, redness, ulcerations or scaly skin on the nipples or breasts
- One or both of the nipples are turned inward
- Any spontaneous discharge or leaking from a nipple or both nipples if you are not breast feeding
- Change in the size or the shape of the breast
Do you have any breast cancer risk factors?
The two major risk factors for breast cancer? Simply being a woman and aging. Although breast cancer can happen at any age, it becomes more common as women get older. Most women who are diagnosed with breast cancer do not have family history of the disease but having a relative who has or had breast cancer can increase your risk.
Having a risk factor doesn’t mean you’ll get the disease. It simply means it’s important to practice prevention and receive early detection screening services.
Risk factors include:
- A personal or family history on both sides of your family (maternal/paternal) of breast cancer in a first degree relative.Learn more about family history and breast cancer here.
- Beginning menstruation before age 12 or starting menopause after age 55
- Using combined hormone replacement therapy (combined estrogen and progestin)
- Having a higher weight, especially after menopause
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking or being exposed to secondhand smoke
- Never giving birth or having a first baby after age 30
Are you at an increase risk for breast cancer?
Take this 3-minute quiz to see if you need to be screened more often.
Breast and Cervical Cancer High Risk Quiz
Early detection could save your life.
When breast cancer is found early, it means you can get treatment as soon as possible – which can lead to a better outcome. Here are three important methods that can detect breast cancer:
- Having a mammogram every year
- Having a clinical breast exam by your healthcare provider
- Knowing your normal and reporting changes to your healthcare provider
They count on you. You can count on us.
You have so many people who love and need you. Don’t put off important health screenings because you’re worried about cost.
Contact us to see if you’re eligible for free or low-cost breast cancer screenings with the Care for Yourself program.