Many women spend their days caring for family, friends and others in their community. Healthcare providers at Gothenburg Health want to remind women that taking care of themselves is just as important.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women. In fact, one in eight women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. The good news is that regular screening can help find breast cancer early, when treatment is often most successful.

“Too often, women put their own health at the bottom of the to-do list,” said Amanda Standage, APRN. “A screening mammogram is a simple step that can make a life-changing difference. Prioritizing your own health isn't selfish.”

Annual screening mammograms are recommended beginning at age 40. Women whose mother or sister has been diagnosed with breast cancer may need to begin screening earlier. In many cases, providers recommend starting mammograms 10 years before the age at which a close family member was diagnosed.

Standage shares, “A common question I get is when a woman can stop doing mammograms. That is a very personal decision between patient and her primary care provider, but I encourage all women to continue to get regular screening mammograms if they feel they still have a good quality of life and would want to have the options, if cancer is found, to treat it. The earlier we detect a concern, the better the outcome and the less extensive the treatment is likely to be.”

As women get older, their risk for breast cancer increases. That is why continuing regular screenings is so important. Studies show that seven in 10 breast cancer deaths occur in women who have never had a mammogram or who do not get screened regularly.

Providers also want women to know that being called back after a mammogram is common and does not automatically mean cancer has been found. About one in 10 screening mammograms leads to additional imaging, while only a small percentage result in a recommendation for a biopsy.

“Women have a remarkable way of showing up for everyone around them,” Standage said. “I like to encourage my patients that taking time for a screening mammogram is an investment in your future, your family and your well-being. You deserve the same care and attention that you so freely give to others.”

Women without insurance or those concerned about cost may qualify for assistance through programs such as Every Woman Matters.

To encourage screening during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Gothenburg Health is offering a $150 cash-price mammogram event Saturday, Oct. 24 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Women who receive a mammogram during October will also be entered to win a pink Igloo cooler filled with prizes. To schedule a mammogram, call 308-537-4042 or talk with your primary care provider.