Wyoming currently ranks last in the nation for breast health screenings among women over 50, Wyoming News Now reports.
As October marks National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, healthcare professionals are raising awareness of the importance of regular screenings and early detection in reducing mortality rates.
“Screenings have been shown to reduce mortality by up to 40%… One in eight women will face breast cancer at some point in their lives, which underscores the urgency of catching it early,” explained Dr. Marcus Bailey, a breast imaging specialist.
Screening mammograms, he added, aim to detect cancer in its early stages, which is key to preventing its spread.
For Jessie Wagner, Women’s Imaging Supervisor at Casper Medical Imaging, understanding risk factors is just as important as scheduling regular screenings.
“It’s not just patients with a family history at risk. In fact, about 80% of breast cancer cases occur in those without any family history,” Wagner emphasized.
This statistic highlights the need for awareness and regular screenings for all women, especially those over 40.
Research has demonstrated that early detection through mammograms can reveal tumors up to two years before they can be physically detected, improving the chances of successful treatment. Despite the lifesaving benefits of early detection, Wyoming’s ranking points to a need for increased participation in regular screenings.
