Women Encouraged to Schedule Regular Mammograms

October 04, 2023

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For all the focus and education regarding research, detection and treatment options for breast cancer, there are still many women in our area who have yet to make their appointment to receive a 3D Mammogram as recommended by health experts. This critical breast cancer screening method, available at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall, is recommended to begin as early as age 35 for those with a family history and other risk factors.

            “The earlier breast cancer is detected, the more likely treatment will provide a good outcome,” said James Kerns, M.D., a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology at Marshall Women’s Care. “Aside from the clinical breast exam, the use of mammography is the key way to evaluate for breast cancer.”

            Breast cancer – like many other forms of cancer – is treatable when caught in its early stages. The best path to detection includes monthly self-examination, annual physician exam during routine checkups and screening mammograms. Sadly, because breast cancer often goes undetected, some 43,250 women died in 2022 from breast cancer, as well as an estimated 530 men.

            There are two types of breast cancer: carcinoma in situ (CIS), and invasive breast cancer. CIS is an early-stage cancer of the breast and is often detectable and treatable following a routine screening mammogram. Invasive breast cancer is a later-stage cancer which will effect an estimated 297,790 women in the United States this year, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology. In addition, almost 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year.

            The incidents of invasive breast cancer and death have been dropping in the United States, thanks to early detection through screening exams and women receiving routine mammograms, paired with advances in treatments.

            “Make an appointment with your primary care physician or your OB/GYN for a clinical breast exam. If there is an issue that is identified, your provider will be able to set up an appointment for the appropriate radiology, whether that is a 3D mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy or ductogram,” said Kerns. “But the starting point would be to make that appointment with your primary care or suitable physician.”

            According to the American College of Radiology, women at the age of 40 should have a screening mammogram every year. As with other cancers, the presence of family history, genetic tendency or certain other risk factors, may indicate an earlier start to screening, beginning as early as age 35.

            Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans cover the cost of screening mammograms. Since 2010, the Affordable Care Act has required all new health insurance plans to cover screening mammograms every one to two years for women aged 40 and older with no out-of-pocket costs. Screening mammograms allow for the earliest detection of breast cancer.

However, if a lump, tissue thickening or abnormal finding is detected by a physician, screening mammography or self-examination, the mammogram may be reclassified as a “diagnostic” mammogram. In those instances, insurance coverage and patient financial responsibility may be involved and varies by health insurer and policy type. Patients are encouraged to always check their health plan benefits for questions about coverage.

            Diagnostic mammograms are used to further investigate lumps or irregularities that might have been discovered. The diagnostic mammogram can be helpful to a surgeon to discover the location and size of a detected lump prior to performing a lumpectomy or biopsy.

            If you do not have a primary care medical provider or need to see a specialist in women’s health, the caring staff at Marshall Women’s Care and Marshall Family Practice are accepting new patients. Call (660) 886-7800 to make an appointment.

To schedule your appointment with Dr. Kerns as an OB/GYN physician, call Marshall Women’s Care at (660) 886-7800. And, for an even easier way to schedule, you can schedule with Dr. Kerns through the FitzChart Patient Portal via the “appointments” link. Both clinics are inside the Fitzgibbon Medical Clinic on the southeast side of the Fitzgibbon Hospital campus. Dr. Kerns is also seeing patients twice a month at Grand River Medical Clinic in Brunswick, which can be reached at (660) 548-3161.