The Important Test You Hate But Need

In 2007, the Service Benefit Plan looked at the claims history of the women with this insurance to see if they were getting mammograms as recommended by federal agencies, the American Cancer Society and physician groups. The results of our research indicate that there is a significant variation across the country in women getting mammograms. Why is it that 77% of women in Maine get a mammogram but less than a thousand miles away, less than 60% get these tests? And why do more women overall in the age range of 52-69 tend to get mammograms more than younger women (ages 40-51)?

Why Has The Rate Of Mammograms Fallen?

Researchers are trying to discover why the rate of women seeking mammograms has begun to fall rather than continuing to rise. A lot of theories suggest reasons why fewer women seek an annual mammogram. If you are a woman who has not gotten a mammogram each year, see if any of these have crossed your mind.

• I don’t have time.

• I can’t get in before it closes.

• I had one a couple of years ago and it was ok.

• No one else in my family has breast cancer.

• It hurts!

• I am too shy to have an x-ray of that area.

• If I get too often, won’t the x-rays cause cancer?

• I keep forgetting to schedule it.

• I stopped my hormones, so my risk should be lower.

All of these excuses and more have been heard as the reason women do not have a mammogram. Each of these has a counter answer. More and more facilities are open in the evening and on weekends. According to the National Cancer Institute 2005 update, the recommendation is for regular screening, every one-two years and timely treatment. And the risk of radiation exposure is minimal.

The truth is, you can always come up with a reason to not get a mammogram. But this year, come up with a list of reasons to get one. Think about knowing what your risk is now. Find a facility that offers mammograms in the evening or weekends. Consider it a birthday present for yourself or your loved ones. Make a pact with a sister, your mom or a friend to go together and treat yourselves after. Remember that early detection leads to early diagnosis and treatment. The earlier, the better the treatment options.

And the good news is that screening mammograms are covered under the Service Benefit Plan for both Standard and Basic Option. In fact, if you use a Preferred provider to perform the test, you don’t have any out-of-pocket expenses. You can refer to the Section 5(a) in the 2008 Service Benefit Plan brochure for more benefit information.

Now that you have all the reasons why you should get a mammogram, take a little advice from Nike—“Just do it!” Talk with your doctor on the next visit and pick up a prescription. Schedule the appointment and keep it.

Written by Cheryl Harris, RN, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Originally published in January 2008. Resources: FEP HEDIS Mammography Results, 2007 (internal research) www.cancer.gov Breast Cancer Screening Gleisser, Benjamin. Why the drop in Mammograms? National Cancer Institute researchers want to know why fewer women are getting mammograms.