Mammograms: Your Key to Early Detection
The best approach to the early detection of breast cancer makes use of both mammography and monthly breast self-exams. Some breast cancers reveal themselves during self-exams, and some are only detected via mammography.
If you are a female age 40 or older, be sure to get your TRICARE-covered mammogram every year. No authorization is required for the service. If you are considered high-risk for breast cancer (for example, your mother, sister or daughter had breast cancer), you can get a TRICARE-covered baseline mammogram at age 35, followed by screening every 12 months. Be sure to talk with your Primary Care Manager (PCM) to determine if you are high-risk.
If you've never had a mammogram, you might be wondering what happens during this test. A mammogram is a simple test; an x-ray of your breast. The technician taking the picture places your breast between two x-ray panels. The panels slowly compress your breast between them to get a clear picture. You may feel a little bit of discomfort but each x-ray takes less than a minute. A little bit of discomfort is a small price to pay to take advantage of this great method of early detection.
When you go for your mammogram, do not wear lotions, powders, perfumes, or deodorant. They can cause shadows on the x-ray.
For more information about your TRICARE entitlement, visit TriWest's Web site,
www.triwest.com. You may also contact TriWest directly at 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378). To learn more about your self-examination options and breast cancer itself, try visiting
http://www.cancer.gov/ and
www.breastcancer.org.
Published Date:
05/14/2009
