Covenant Health radiologist encourages women to know their bodies and keep up with mammograms.
SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (Smokies.LIVE Health Center) — During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, doctors are reminding women that early detection and regular screening can play an important role in finding breast cancer before it becomes more difficult to treat.
Dr. Margaret Brown, a diagnostic radiologist with the Emily B. Kile Comprehensive Breast Center at Covenant Health LeConte, encourages women to become familiar with their normal breast tissue and report changes to their health care provider.
Brown said women should consider monthly breast self-exams and recommended that women at average risk begin annual mammograms at age 40 and continue them as long as they are relatively healthy and able.
“When breast cancer is found early, almost 100% of women survive five years,” Brown said.
Brown said fear surrounding a cancer diagnosis can sometimes discourage women from seeking screening. She also said some older women may mistakenly believe they are no longer at risk for breast cancer.
Breast cancer is most commonly diagnosed in older women, Brown said, making continued screening important.
She said some women diagnosed in their 70s and 80s are surprised by their diagnosis because they believed they were too old to develop breast cancer.
“That’s why we encourage women to continue getting yearly mammograms as long as they’re able,” Brown said.
The Emily B. Kile Comprehensive Breast Center at Covenant Health LeConte provides breast health and wellness services in Sevier County.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, health care providers encourage women to know what is normal for their bodies, discuss individual risk factors with their doctors and follow recommended screening guidelines.
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