In the past four decades, improvements in breast cancer treatment and screening have led to a 56% decrease in breast cancer-related deaths in the United States. Regular screening and early detection can dramatically lower the risk of dying from breast cancer, yet many American women skip this recommended routine annual exam. The National Cancer Institute reports 24% of U.S. women ages 50 to 74 have not had a mammogram in the past two years.
Early detection is key
To help bridge this gap in care, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, in collaboration with X-Ray Associates of New Mexico and the American Cancer Society of New Mexico, hosted a Women’s Health Day and mammogram screening event for BCBSNM members and the community.
Peggy Coleman, a BCBSNM quality management specialist, helped organize her team’s effort to inform members of the event. “Many women may not be aware that the United States Preventive Services Task Force is moving towards recommending biennial mammograms starting at age 40,” she says.
More than 100 women, including 88 BCBSNM members, scheduled and received mammograms during the event held March 9 at XRANM’s Breast Health and Imaging Center in Albuquerque. "Events like these go a long way to raise awareness about the critical role of early breast cancer detection and the importance of receiving regular mammograms,” says XRANM's Dr. Kaitlin Peterson.