Women Recognize Prevention's Value, but Still Delay Health Screenings

More than 40 percent of women said they skipped or delayed a screening recommended by a health professional, according to a recent survey by Gallup for the medical technology company Hologic. While 90 percent agreed that it is important to get regular preventive health screenings for cancer and other key health conditions, 43 percent said they skipped or delayed a recommended screening, including for breast cancer.

Respondents cited multiple reasons for doing so including anxiety about medical tests, pain concerns, cost, lack of time or not believing a screening was necessary. Panhandle Breast Health recommends discussing your personal breast cancer risk with your healthcare provider while in your 20s to determine personalized screening recommendations. Women at average risk should get annual mammograms beginning at age 40. PBH provides free breast cancer screenings to uninsured residents of the Texas Panhandle.