Presbyterian | Spring 2021 | Your Story

8 BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS Is it time for a mammogram? Finding breast cancer early is important in the success of treating it. The earlier breast cancer is found, the more easily and successfully it can be treated. Breast cancer screening depends on your age. The type of screening and how often you get them are: ● Ages 20 to 39: Some experts suggest that women have a clinical breast exam every three years, starting at age 20. Talk with your provider about how often you should have a breast exam. If you have a high risk of getting breast cancer, talk to your doctor about when to begin having regular mammograms (breast x-rays) and other screening tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ● Ages 40 to 54: It is important for you to talk to your provider about the medical data on mammograms before you decide when to start having them done and how often to have them. For women at average risk: { Ages 40 to 44: You have the option to start screening with yearly mammograms. { Ages 45 to 54: Get yearly mammograms. ● Ages 55 and older. You can switch to a mammogram every other year or continue with yearly screening for as long as you’re in good health. The risk of breast cancer goes up with age. If you are 75 or older, talk to your provider about getting a mammogram as a regular part of your healthcare plan. If you need to schedule a breast cancer screening, visit www.phs.org/directory to find an imaging center near you or call the Presbyterian Customer Service Center at the number on the back of your member ID card. Cervical cancer: Make a screening plan Not all cancers can be prevented. But cervical cancer often can. Two screening tests can find early signs of the disease and save women’s lives. That’s why it’s a good idea to talk to your provider about: The Pap test. This test can find cell changes on your cervix before they become cancer. Providers can then treat these changes—and keep you cancer- free. If you already have cervical cancer, the test can find it when it’s small and easier to treat. The HPV test. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by a virus called HPV. HPV infections are very common. Most go away on their own. But some can lead to cervical cancer. If this test shows that you have HPV, it doesn’t mean you have cancer. But you may need extra tests to be sure. When should you be tested? Women at average risk should start being tested at age 21. If your test results are normal, you might follow a schedule like this: If you’re 21 to 29, providers often advise Pap tests every three years. If you’re 30 to 65, providers often advise one of these options: • A Pap test every three years • An HPV test every five years • A Pap test with an HPV test every five years If you’re under 21 or over 65—and don’t have any other risk factors—you probably don’t need these tests. But ask your provider what’s best for you. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Get the HPV vaccine. There is a vaccine that can help prevent HPV. Most kids should get it when they are 11 to 12 years old. But if you didn’t, you can get a catch- up vaccine up to age 26. If you’re 27 to 45, ask your doctor if the vaccine is right for you.