Partnership helps spread word on mammograms

As many are aware, when breast cancer is detected early, it can be successfully treated in over 90 percent of cases. Women without health insurance are typically screened for breast cancer at much lower rates than their insured counterparts, which can lead to late-stage diagnosis. This year during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Onondaga County Cancer Services Program (CSP) relied on the local media to get the word out about the availability of free mammograms for women ages 40 to 64 who do not have health insurance.

On behalf of the CSP, I thank Clear Channel Radio, CNY Central, Cumulus Media, Galaxy Communications, News Channel 9 WSYR, The Post-Standard, WCNY, and YNN for providing free media to promote these important breast health messages. My gratitude also goes out to the numerous health care provider groups and community agencies that participated in our Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities. With this support, over 100 uninsured women will now have access to free mammograms. Funding for mammography screening is provided by the New York State Department of Health and the Central New York Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure.

The CSP appreciates all of our partners' significant contributions in promoting the availability of free cancer screenings for people who are uninsured. Thank you for working together for a healthy community.

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How is a mammogram done? When you have a mammogram, your breast is compressed or squeezed between 2 plates attached to the mammogram machine -- a plastic plate (on top) and an x-ray plate (on the bottom). The technologist compresses your breast to keep it from moving, and to make the layer of breast tissue thinner. These measures reduce the x-ray exposure, reduce blurring, and make the picture sharper. Although the compression can feel uncomfortable and even painful for some women, it only lasts for a few seconds and is needed to get a good picture. The entire procedure for a mammogram takes about 20 minutes.

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The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is recommending sweeping changes in its breast cancer screening guidelines.

The USPSTF, which is a group of independent health experts convened by the Department of Health and Human Services, reviewed and commissioned research to develop computer-simulated models comparing the expected outcomes under different screening scenarios.

Here are the USPSTF's recommendations, based on all that work:

Routine screening of average-risk women should begin at age 50, instead of age 40.
Routine screening should end at age 74.
Women should get screening mammograms every two years instead of every year.
Breast self-exams have little value, based on findings from several large studies.But the new recommendations may leave some women confused, since the American Cancer Society continues to recommend annual mammography screening for all healthy women beginning at age 40. What's the bottom line on mammogram screening? WebMD asked breast cancer experts about the new USPSTF screening guidelines.