Who Should Get Screened for Breast Cancer?

“Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in America,” says Gail Starr, M.D., diagnostic radiologist at Hackensack University Medical Center. “An early breast cancer diagnosis is your best hope for a cure. In addition, the treatment options can be less aggressive and better tolerated when cancer is detected early, so having regular mammograms is crucial.”

While there is no concrete way to prevent breast cancer, annual mammograms have reduced the mortality rate by 40 percent. “Routine breast cancer screening is important for all women, because it is common and most women who get breast cancer have no family history of breast cancer or other risk factors” says Harriet Borofsky, M.D., breast imaging specialist at Bayshore Medical Center and Riverview Medical Center.

When to Get Screened

Source: American College of Radiology

“In addition to these general guidelines, women of color have the highest breast cancer mortality rate and are more likely to receive an advanced-stage diagnosis,” says Rebecca Gamss, M.D., diagnostic radiologist at Hackensack. “All women should have a risk assessment before age 30, so those at higher risk can be identified—especially women of color and of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.”

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our sources: Gail Starr, M.D. MS.Ed., Rebecca Gamss, M.D., and Harriet Borofsky, M.D.
• To make an appointment with a doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.