Por qué es hora de ponerse al día con las mamografías

Ask yourself – how long has it been since you had a mammogram? Those routine checkups and health screenings you delayed last year may have put your health in more jeopardy than you realize.
 
That's why it's important to get back on track now with mammograms and other preventive screenings. Routine mammograms give your doctor a chance to diagnose cancers early when there are more treatment options and 95 to 98 percent survival rates.

Cancer doesn't wait, even if you do

By some estimates, 3.9 million women missed their screening mammogram last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. That could lead to higher rates of cancer diagnosed within the next five to 10 years. Experts also believe there's a risk that cancers may go undetected until tumors are larger or the cancer spreads to other areas of the body.
 
Family history may also factor into a woman's decision that it’s okay to delay her screening. Many women believe that if they do not have a family history of breast cancer that their personal risk is low. In fact, 8 out of 10 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history. 

Get back on track with your health screenings

Goshen Retreat Women's Health Center has appointment times open for routine mammograms. You don't need a doctor's order to get the test. You just need to schedule an appointment.
 
If you've had a COVID vaccination recently, let your medical technician know before your mammogram. The vaccine may cause temporary enlargement of lymph nodes that can show up on images during your screening.
 
The good news is that swelling in the lymph nodes can mean your immune system is doing its job to fight off unwanted substances, including viruses, in the body. Only 10 to 15 percent of women who get the vaccine have swelling in their lymph nodes.
 
The other good news is that your healthcare team can factor in possible effects of the vaccine when they interpret your results – as long as you tell them in advance.
 
Most doctors agree – it's better to get your mammograms and other health screenings back on track than to wait. If it’s been over a year since your last mammogram, call the Goshen Retreat Women’s Health Center at (574) 364-4600 to schedule your mammogram today.
 

Goshen Retreat Women's Health Center has the only fellowship trained breast surgeons in the Michiana region. Medical Director Laura Morris, MD, and Fiona Denham, MD, offer personalized medicine that fits each patient's preferences and values.