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Celebrate Summer By Scheduling Your Mammogram

June 05, 2025

As the days grow longer and thoughts turn to beach trips and backyard barbecues, the change of season offers more than just a shift in weather — it’s a timely reminder to take care of yourself.

Amid the excitement of summer plans, don’t forget to schedule your mammogram. This simple step can make a life-saving difference, and there’s no better time than now to put your breast health at the top of your to-do list.

“As the weather is warming up and the days are full of more sunshine, let’s all take a moment to remind ourselves and the women in our lives to make sure they are up to date on their breast cancer screening,” said Whitney Young, MD, a breast surgical oncologist with MidState Medical Center. “If not, schedule your mammogram today.”

Dr. Young notes that on average one in eight women are affected in their lifetime by breast cancer, around 13% of the total female population. Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. It accounts for approximately one third of all new cancers diagnosed in women each year.

Recently, breast cancer rates are increasing by about 1% per year and more rapidly in women under age 50. Studies show that increasing breast cancer rates in younger women can be caused by factors such as being overweight or obesity, and delayed childbearing or not having children at all.

There is also good news around breast cancer, however.

“Overall breast cancer-related deaths have decreased significantly over the last 30 years or so, declining about 44%,” Dr. Young said.

Experts, including Dr. Young, attribute these statistics to increased awareness, earlier detection through screening and improvements in treatment. “Overall, breast cancer is very treatable with an excellent prognosis when detected at its earliest stages. For this reason, routine screening is lifesaving.”

Check screening recommendations with your doctor

Guidelines for screening have changed over the years. While women considered to be at average risk start annual breast cancer screening at age 40, women with elevated risk are encouraged to review with their provider if they should start younger or add other testing, such as breast MRI’s or contrast enhanced mammography.

Those considered to be at greater risk include:

• Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
• Women with genetic mutations conferring risk for breast cancer and other cancer syndromes.
• Women with a history of abnormal cells on prior breast biopsies.
• Women who had exposure to radiation to the chest at a young age.

Additionally, women with dense breast tissue (categorized as heterogeneously dense or extremely dense by mammogram) should talk to their doctor about supplemental imaging with a breast ultrasound to aid in detecting abnormalities that may be challenging to see on mammogram alone in a background of dense tissue.

“Although most breast cancers that are detected by screening have no symptoms at all, we encourage women to periodically perform self-exams,” Dr. Young said. “The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new painless lump within the breast. Other symptoms to be on the lookout for include breast swelling, skin changes, like dimpling or retraction, redness or thickening; new nipple inversion, nipple discharge or swelling or enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit area.”

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