Beyond the Pink Ribbon: Why Regular Mammograms Save Lives
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but the simple act of scheduling a mammogram is a life-saving habit you should maintain all year long.
The facts are encouraging: since 1989, breast cancer deaths have dropped by a remarkable 44%, largely thanks to improvements in screening and early detection. Since approximately one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, remaining proactive is essential.
Your Screening Plan: Getting the Gold Standard
The mammogram is the gold standard for early detection. Finding cancer in its earliest stages is when it's most treatable.
“Breast cancer is most treatable when discovered in its earliest stages, and screening mammograms are our best tool for early detection,” says Charissa Etrheim, MD, a family medicine physician and breast expert at the High Risk Breast Clinic in Mitchell, SD.
Dispelling Common Myths
Don't let fear or misinformation stop you from scheduling your appointment:
It’s Fast: A mammogram usually takes 15 minutes or less. Any discomfort from the "squeeze" is brief.
It’s Safe: A 3D mammogram is highly effective, and the small amount of radiation is well within safe levels—about the same as what you'd naturally receive over seven weeks.
It’s Covered: Most insurance plans provide 100% coverage for yearly screening mammograms for women age 40 and older. Always check with your insurer if you have questions.
High-Risk Screening
If you have a strong family history or dense breasts, you may be considered high-risk. During a standard mammogram visit, you'll typically complete a breast risk assessment. If your lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is 20% or more, you may be referred to a specialized high-risk breast clinic for a customized screening plan.
Two Ways to Be Proactive Every Month
In addition to annual screening, there are two simple, continuous ways to protect your health:
Do Regular Self-Exams: Even with annual mammograms, it’s critical to know what is normal for your body. Report any changes immediately to your doctor. While breast tumors often feel hard and irregularly shaped, even soft or smooth lumps should be checked. As Dr. Etrheim notes, "People can catch a new lump or other breast change through a self-exam that ends up being breast cancer.”
Encourage Others: If you are a woman age 40 or older, schedule your mammogram now. Then, remind the women you love—friends, family, and co-workers—to schedule theirs too.
If Cancer is Detected
Most lumps and abnormal mammogram findings are benign (non-cancerous). However, if breast cancer is diagnosed, a specialized team will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan based on your lifestyle, the cancer type, and the stage.
Treatment options may include:
Surgery: This can range from a lumpectomy (removing just the tumor) to a mastectomy (removing all breast tissue). Patients are the ultimate decision-makers and can opt for reconstructive surgery.
Radiation Therapy: Treatments often follow surgery to help prevent the cancer from recurring at the original site.
Systemic Therapies: This includes chemotherapy and biotherapy (medications that work with your immune system) to prevent or stop the spread of cancer.
Precision Oncology: Specialists analyze your DNA to inform the most effective way to treat your specific case.
Knowledge is power when it comes to breast health. Have you scheduled your annual mammogram yet?
Source: Avera Health | October 15, 2025