A mammogram (x-ray examination of the breast) can detect and diagnose breast disease in women who either have breast problems such as a lump, pain or nipple discharge, as well as for women who have no breast complaints.

Even if you are extremely familiar with the way your breasts feel as they change throughout your menstrual cycle, there’s only so much you can detect by touch.  Today's high-quality screening mammography is the most effective tool available to physicians in detecting breast cancer before lumps can be felt or symptoms of cancer appear.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women (other than skin cancer). It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.  Early detection of breast cancer not only helps provide a woman with more options, but also increases the possibility of a favorable prognosis.

What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

Any woman may develop breast cancer. However, the following risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing the disease.

• gender (breast cancer occurs nearly 100 times more often in women than in men)
• race (Asian, Hispanic and American Indian women have a lower risk of getting breast cancer, and White women are slightly more likely to get breast cancer than are African-American women, but African American women are more likely to die of this cancer)
• aging (a majority of cases occur after age 50)
• personal history of breast cancer
• previous breast irradiation
• family history and genetic factors (having a close relative, such as a mother or sister, with breast cancer increases the risk)
• benign breast disease
• previous breast biopsy in which the tissue showed atypical hyperplasia
• menstrual periods that began early in life
• menopause that began later in life

• smoking
• not having children, or first child after age 30
• oral contraceptives
• obesity and a high-fat diet
• physical inactivity
• alcohol
• long-term, post-menopausal use of combined estrogen and progestin (HRT)
• weight gain and obesity after menopause

• exposure to pesticides or other chemicals is currently being examined as a possible risk factor

American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Guidelines for Early Breast Cancer Detection

These guidelines are for women who have no symptoms of breast cancer.  If you have symptoms or signs, see your physician.  Keep in mind that the sooner a problem is detected, the greater your choices in treatment options. 

Medicare and most private insurance carriers cover all or part of the cost for mammography.  In addition, Mee offers special programs and lower fees during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.  For low-income women, mammograms are covered through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP).  There is also a new program to help pay for breast cancer treatment for women in need.  To learn more about these programs, you can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at 1.888.842.6355.

• are at least 40 years old
• have low income
• have medical insurance that does not cover these services
• have a high insurance deductible or co-payment
• are not getting these services through Medi-Cal or another government-sponsored program
• live in California