Self-care includes preventive care. 7 things you should know about breast cancer

by Kara Nelsestuen, Lead Mammography Technologist, Winona Health If you’re due for a screening mammogram, or if you’ve been putting it off and you’re way overdue, please schedule your appointment. We care for people who have had many mammograms and for people who are here for their first time and are nervous, both about how it might feel and about what we might find. Everyone is unique, but what I’ve found is that almost all first-timers feel like they worried for nothing. The Mammography team and I have come up with a list of 7 things we’d like you to know. We hope this is helpful!

1. It’s important to be proactive about your health – be your own advocate.
2. Although breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, early detection and better treatment options have greatly decreased breast cancer deaths.
3. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. (Which means that 7 in 8 won’t!)
4. The two most common risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and growing older. (Not much we can do about that!)
5. 75% of women who get breast cancer have NO family history of breast cancer.
6. 3D mammography, which provides more information and can find smaller abnormalities, is available at Winona Health.
7. 90% of mammograms lead to nothing but peace of mind.

Screening mammograms are considered preventive care and are typically covered by insurance. However, if you have trouble affording your mammogram, contact the SAGE Program (or ask us about it when you call). If you’re due, or overdue for this important screening, we hope to hear from you soon. Whether we’ll be seeing you for your first mammogram, or you’ve lost count, we’ll make it easy for you, and chances are you’ll walk out with nothing but peace of mind and a smile on your face. To schedule a screening mammogram at Winona Health, call 507.457.4320 (select option 1). It is safe to get your mammogram. Winona Health has COVID-19 precautions in place including masking and physical distancing requirements.