<p><strong>HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL MAMMOGRAPHY DAY</strong></p>

<ol>
<li>
<p>Make your mammogram appointment</p>

<p>If you've been procrastinating out of fear (or simply denial that you actually are 40), set aside time to make that appointment on October 18. Keep in mind that out of every 1,000 women who get screened, about 100 are asked to do another mammography or allow ultra sound imagery. 20 women will be referred for a biopsy and only five are diagnosed with breast cancer. Even with an abnormal mammogram, there's a high chance cancer has not been detected.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Do a breast self-exam</p>

<p>Now's the time to renew your commitment to monthly self-exams. Call your doctor or nurse practitioner for an appointment to show you the correct way to do one. You can also do an online search for pictures or infographics that will walk you through the process. After all, it's your body &mdash; show it some love.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Wear some pink</p>

<p>Pink is the official color of breast cancer awareness, which includes National Mammography Day. Proudly wear your pink ribbon in honor of a friend, loved one, or in awareness for breast cancer in general. It may seem like a little thing, but for breast cancer survivors, it means they're not alone in their struggle.</p>
</li>
</ol>

<p><strong>5 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT BREAST CANCER</strong></p>

<ol>
<li>
<p>Know your risk factors</p>

<p>Yearly and biennially mammograms can be dangerous for women under 40, which is why it is recommended to only begin the process once this age minimum is reached. Once a women reaches the age of 40, the benefits of mammograms far outweigh the risks.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>​Mammograms have some limitations</p>

<p>​If you have dense breast tissue, a traditional mammogram may have trouble detecting breast cancer.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Understand what they do</p>

<p>Mammograms are important for the race to early detection; however, they do not prevent breast cancer.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>3D mammograms see through dense breasts</p>

<p>3D mammography, or tomosynthesis, is the most modern screening tool for breast cancer detection, allowing physicians to access better images of dense breast tissue than with traditional machines.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>You can get screened with implants</p>

<p>​If you have breast implants, they won't hinder a physicians view of your natural tissue.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
</ol>

<p><strong>WHY NATIONAL MAMMOGRAPHY DAY IS IMPORTANT</strong></p>

<ol>
<li>
<p>Mammograms are only once a year or every two years</p>

<p>With annual and biennial mammograms, women over age 40 promote their own self-care. Mammograms are non-invasive x-ray images of each breast that doctors review for anomalies that may indicate cancer. Unfortunately, many women are afraid to make their mammogram appointments for fear of radiation and breast discomfort during the exam. But fear not because the procedure takes only about 20 minutes.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Mammograms are extremely effective</p>

<p>Early detection screening has successfully reduced the U.S. breast cancer mortality rate by almost 40 percent according to the National Cancer Institute. That once-a-year mammogram is so effective that it can reveal breast changes up to two years before either a patient or their doctor can feel them.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Mammograms don't require a prescription</p>

<p>In most states, you don't need a doctor's permission to make your mammogram appointment. As long as you are over age 40, you can refer yourself to a facility. Make sure that facility is certified by regulating agencies including the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Bring copies of previous mammograms with you, especially if you are using this facility for the first time.</p>
</li>
</ol>

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MCC Daily Tribune

National Mammography Day

This year National Mammography Day lands on October 21. Occurring every third Friday of October, National Mammography Day is a cousin to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They’re both committed to women’s self care but this day is set aside specifically to encourage women to take the time to make an appointment. Early detection means early treatment and the difference between life and death.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL MAMMOGRAPHY DAY

1. Make your mammogram appointment

   If you've been procrastinating out of fear (or simply denial that you actually are 40), set aside time to make that appointment on October 18. Keep in mind that out of every 1,000 women who get screened, about 100 are asked to do another mammography or allow ultra sound imagery. 20 women will be referred for a biopsy and only five are diagnosed with breast cancer. Even with an abnormal mammogram, there's a high chance cancer has not been detected.

2. Do a breast self-exam

   Now's the time to renew your commitment to monthly self-exams. Call your doctor or nurse practitioner for an appointment to show you the correct way to do one. You can also do an online search for pictures or infographics that will walk you through the process. After all, it's your body — show it some love.

3. Wear some pink

   Pink is the official color of breast cancer awareness, which includes National Mammography Day. Proudly wear your pink ribbon in honor of a friend, loved one, or in awareness for breast cancer in general. It may seem like a little thing, but for breast cancer survivors, it means they're not alone in their struggle.

5 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT BREAST CANCER

1. Know your risk factors

   Yearly and biennially mammograms can be dangerous for women under 40, which is why it is recommended to only begin the process once this age minimum is reached. Once a women reaches the age of 40, the benefits of mammograms far outweigh the risks.

2. ​Mammograms have some limitations

   ​If you have dense breast tissue, a traditional mammogram may have trouble detecting breast cancer.

3. Understand what they do

   Mammograms are important for the race to early detection; however, they do not prevent breast cancer.

4. 3D mammograms see through dense breasts

   3D mammography, or tomosynthesis, is the most modern screening tool for breast cancer detection, allowing physicians to access better images of dense breast tissue than with traditional machines.

5. You can get screened with implants

   ​If you have breast implants, they won't hinder a physicians view of your natural tissue. 

WHY NATIONAL MAMMOGRAPHY DAY IS IMPORTANT

1. Mammograms are only once a year or every two years

   With annual and biennial mammograms, women over age 40 promote their own self-care. Mammograms are non-invasive x-ray images of each breast that doctors review for anomalies that may indicate cancer. Unfortunately, many women are afraid to make their mammogram appointments for fear of radiation and breast discomfort during the exam. But fear not because the procedure takes only about 20 minutes.

2. Mammograms are extremely effective

   Early detection screening has successfully reduced the U.S. breast cancer mortality rate by almost 40 percent according to the National Cancer Institute. That once-a-year mammogram is so effective that it can reveal breast changes up to two years before either a patient or their doctor can feel them.

3. Mammograms don't require a prescription

   In most states, you don't need a doctor's permission to make your mammogram appointment. As long as you are over age 40, you can refer yourself to a facility. Make sure that facility is certified by regulating agencies including the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Bring copies of previous mammograms with you, especially if you are using this facility for the first time.

Sarah Benedict
MCC Wellness Council
10/21/2022