Don’t let fear keep you from annual cancer screenings

Two common comments are: “There is no breast cancer in my family, so I’m good,” and “I’m too scared. What if they find something?”

Everyone needs regular mammograms, regardless of family history. And finding something -- specifically early -- is precisely why women need the regular screening.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, with one in eight being diagnosed in her lifetime. Research on survival rates shows early detection is saving lives now more than ever and advancements in imaging and treatments continue to move the survival rates higher year over year.

The National Cancer Institute’s most recent findings show the five-year breast cancer survival rates for women are more than 90% and are 99.3% when it’s caught in the earliest stages.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to unite to raise awareness and support for the millions affected by the disease. Though awareness is important, it is action in the form of regular mammograms that saves lives. If cancer is detected, it is important to know that every patient is different and each treatment plan will be different.

Last year, the Franciscan Health Breast Care Center in Crown Point partnered with our coworkers in the oncology department on an educational campaign called Pink & Pearl aimed at encouraging women to get mammograms and lung cancer screenings. The program originated with the Tennessee Department of Public Health in 2019 and has expanded across the country.

Pink & Pearl – the colors of breast cancer and lung cancer awareness ribbons -- was inspired by a Vanderbilt University Medical Center study that found women screened for breast cancer were still dying from lung cancer. While breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, lung cancer is a close second, but most don’t know how to be tested for it.

Franciscan offers simple, noninvasive lung scans at multiple locations. To qualify for a lung scan, patients must be 50 or older, averaged smoking at least one pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years and have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer.

Franciscan Health is continuing the Pink & Pearl campaign this year. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 4, we will have an information table outside the gift shop at Franciscan Health Crown Point at I-65 and U.S. 231, with details on mammograms and lung scans, giveaways and more. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

For those unable to attend, information on scheduling mammograms and lung screenings is available at franciscanhealth.org/PinkandPearl.

During this Breast Cancer Awareness month, pledge not to let fear or misinformation keep you from living your best life. Schedule a mammogram for yourself and encourage those you love to do the same. While you’re at it, schedule a lung screening.