However, there are more things being done to solve this problem a little closer to home. For example, insurance agencies and health programs have been doing more to encourage women with financial problems to get the test done. State and local health programs have been providing free or low cost mammograms to low-income or uninsured women (Laino). Finances can be a large factor in whether or not a woman gets a mammogram. I think it’s awesome that insurance agencies are showing that they too think mammograms are important, and that they care about their customers. Also, insurance agencies are now sending women reminders that it is time to get their annual mammograms. I think this is really effective. It ensures that getting a mammogram
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First, I think it would be wise for more famous women to advocate mammograms. This would encourage women of the general public to get a mammogram. If a celebrity is getting one, it would make their fans want to follow in their footsteps. This would also show that any women, even those in the spotlight, can be diagnosed with breast cancer and should be concerned about getting a mammogram. Second, every organization needs to be on the same page. Trustworthy associations like the American Cancer Society and the US Preventive Services Task Force need to meet and discuss the issue so that women have solid recommendations to go by. These organizations also need to back up their statements on mammograms with good evidence to help women get a better understanding. Finally, I think we should require every doctor, no matter what their specialty, have some education on mammograms. This way, anyone in the medical field could answer women’s questions about mammograms and give them reliable information. Also, more professionals could advise women to get a mammogram, even if they are at a doctor’s appointment for a different issue. This would ensure that mammography is on every woman’s mind, and it would reiterate just how important getting a mammogram is. I believe with these changes, the mammography issue would be closer to being …show more content…
However, there are a lot of ways just one individual can make a positive impact on solving this issue. One thing one person can do is go get a mammogram. If you are a woman age 40 or older, talk to your doctor about getting a mammogram. If you are a man, encourage the women in your life to get an annual mammogram. Also, if you have a family member that has had breast cancer, take the needed precautions to protect yourself. A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who had been diagnosed with breast cancer (“U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics”). My mother is a breast cancer survivor, so I now have to begin getting mammograms at 28. Thinking about my doubled risk is honestly terrifying. On top of being afraid of doubled risk, I can now understand the factor of not having the money to pay for a mammogram. I don’t know if my insurance will cover the procedure at 28. However, I have promised myself that I will not let this stop me from getting one. Also, the US Preventive Services Task Force says that women with a parent, sibling, or child with breast cancer may benefit more than average-risk women from beginning screening between the ages of 40 and 49 years (Raymond). The task force’s recommendation was to begin getting mammograms at age 50 (“Many Women Do Not Get Regular Mammograms”). Even though
First, I think it would be wise for more famous women to advocate mammograms. This would encourage women of the general public to get a mammogram. If a celebrity is getting one, it would make their fans want to follow in their footsteps. This would also show that any women, even those in the spotlight, can be diagnosed with breast cancer and should be concerned about getting a mammogram. Second, every organization needs to be on the same page. Trustworthy associations like the American Cancer Society and the US Preventive Services Task Force need to meet and discuss the issue so that women have solid recommendations to go by. These organizations also need to back up their statements on mammograms with good evidence to help women get a better understanding. Finally, I think we should require every doctor, no matter what their specialty, have some education on mammograms. This way, anyone in the medical field could answer women’s questions about mammograms and give them reliable information. Also, more professionals could advise women to get a mammogram, even if they are at a doctor’s appointment for a different issue. This would ensure that mammography is on every woman’s mind, and it would reiterate just how important getting a mammogram is. I believe with these changes, the mammography issue would be closer to being …show more content…
However, there are a lot of ways just one individual can make a positive impact on solving this issue. One thing one person can do is go get a mammogram. If you are a woman age 40 or older, talk to your doctor about getting a mammogram. If you are a man, encourage the women in your life to get an annual mammogram. Also, if you have a family member that has had breast cancer, take the needed precautions to protect yourself. A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who had been diagnosed with breast cancer (“U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics”). My mother is a breast cancer survivor, so I now have to begin getting mammograms at 28. Thinking about my doubled risk is honestly terrifying. On top of being afraid of doubled risk, I can now understand the factor of not having the money to pay for a mammogram. I don’t know if my insurance will cover the procedure at 28. However, I have promised myself that I will not let this stop me from getting one. Also, the US Preventive Services Task Force says that women with a parent, sibling, or child with breast cancer may benefit more than average-risk women from beginning screening between the ages of 40 and 49 years (Raymond). The task force’s recommendation was to begin getting mammograms at age 50 (“Many Women Do Not Get Regular Mammograms”). Even though