It's Not Too Early
Our “It’s Not Too Early Campaign” is designed to educate young women about breast health and to encourage them to get their first mammogram at age 40. Establishing mammograms as part of a woman’s annual healthcare routine will impact her life and the lives of those around her.
While turning 40 might not be a favorite milestone, it is a crucial one for detecting breast cancer. Breast cancer death rates have decreased steadily since 1989, for an overall decline of 42 percent through 2021, according to the American Cancer Society. The decrease in death rates is believed to be the result of finding breast cancer earlier through mammography and increased awareness, as well as better treatments.
Medical guidelines recommend beginning annual mammograms at age 40; however, barriers to screening prevent women from getting mammograms at any age. Lack of insurance is the number one reason women delay or forego annual breast cancer screenings. Panhandle Breast Health provides no-cost breast cancer screenings to uninsured women in the Texas Panhandle. Getting a screening mammogram on an annual basis is the most effective way to detect breast cancer early. Early detection means that treatment is less extensive and prognosis is better.
PBH thanks the Harrington Cancer and Health Foundation for funding a portion of this program.
