Get a mammogram this Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer is very treatable when it’s caught early, and getting your yearly breast cancer screening can reduce your risk of dying from breast cancer by up to 40%. We recommend you start getting breast screening (mammograms) at age 40, but depending on your risks, your provider might ask you to start earlier.

Evergreen partners with Roswell Park to connect you with our breast cancer screening navigator. Ask your provider if mammography is right for you at your next annual appointment, and if you need to schedule your appointment for this year still, visit your patient portal or give us a call at 716.847.2441 (press option 5).

No matter what your health insurance status is, breast cancer screening is accessible to you: Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurers cover annual mammograms for eligible patients at no cost to you.

When it comes to breast cancer, there’s plenty of myths and misunderstandings – read on to learn the facts!

MYTH:

Only people assigned female at birth are at risk of breast cancer.

FACT:

While rare, people assigned male at birth can also get breast cancer. Transgender and nonbinary individuals get screened for breast cancer at lower rates due to discrimination, lack of provider knowledge, and discomfort accessing gendered healthcare spaces.

Evergreen is a safe place for people of all genders to get health care: if you’re an LGBTQ+ person who needs help getting connected to breast cancer screening, give us a call.

MYTH:

I don’t have a family history of breast cancer, so I don’t need to be screened.

FACT:

Most breast cancer cases occur in people with no family history. Only a small percentage of people get breast cancer due to inherited genetic mutations.

MYTH:

A lump is the only sign of breast cancer.

FACT:

Breast cancer can also show up as swelling, skin irritation, redness, nipple discharge, or pain. It’s important to be aware of any changes in your breasts and call your provider if you notice anything unusual.

MYTH:

I’m too young to worry about breast cancer.

FACT:

While most cases occur after 50, younger people can get breast cancer, especially if you have risk factors, such as family history. Talk to your provider about early screening if you believe you are at high-risk.

MYTH:

Getting a mammogram is too painful.

FACT:

While you may feel some discomfort, mammograms are quick and generally well-tolerated. The potential life-saving benefit far outweighs the temporary discomfort.

MYTH:

Mammograms expose you to too much radiation.

FACT:

Mammography uses a very low dose of radiation, and the risk is minimal compared to the benefit of early detection.

MYTH:

Since I don’t have any symptoms, I don’t need screening.

FACT:

Early-stage breast cancer often shows no symptoms. Routine mammography can catch it before it spreads.

MYTH:

A breast cancer diagnosis is a death sentence.

FACT:

Breast cancer’s survival rate is high when the cancer is caught and treated early.

MYTH:

There’s nothing you can do to reduce your risk of breast cancer.

FACT:

Healthy lifestyle choices like maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and limiting alcohol use can help reduce your risk.

MYTH:

Breast cancer only affects people with large breasts.

FACT:

Breast size is not a risk factor for breast cancer. People of all breast sizes can develop the disease.

Schedule your annual primary care appointment today to ask your provider about breast cancer screening: visit your patient portal or give us a call at 716.847.2441 (press option 5).