Drink (Pink Lemonade) to Your (Breast) Health

Today is National Mammography day, a reminder to all women that regular mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer. Sharecare helped get the word out with a pink lemonade stand, which also raised money for the American Cancer Society.

Remember, 70 to 80 percent of women who develop breast cancer don’t have a family history of the disease. And breast cancer often has no symptoms. So don’t leave your breast health to chance.

The American Cancer Society recommends yearly mammograms starting at age 40. Some women should have a breast MRI in addition to a mammogram. If you have dense breasts, you may need a second test such as an MRI or ultrasound in addition to a mammogram (and you should opt for a digital mammogram, according to Mehmet Oz, MD). In fact, radiologist Stacey Vitiello, MD, one of Sharecare’s Top 10 Online Influencers in Breast Cancer, says if you have dense breasts, a mammogram alone is about as a good at determining whether you have breast cancer as the x-ray tech flipping a coin would be.

When it’s time for that mammogram, walk on over to the radiology center—you’ll be doing your breasts two favors, since walking is one way to reduce your breast cancer risk.

For more information on preventing, detecting and treating breast cancer, visit our breast cancer center.

What are you doing in your own life to help prevent breast cancer? Let us know in the comment box below.

File under: In the News