Economical Alternatives for Your Annual Mammogram

With the ever rising cost of health care, women over 55 are postponing—and even forgoing their annual breast exam all in name of saving a few bucks.

“I am on a limited monthly income,” says Rashid Sinjur, 58, of Cupertino. “Therefore I need to pick and choose where I spend my money.”

Sinjur has opted to have a mammogram every three to five years instead of the American Cancer Society’s recommended annual breast exam.

Mammograms find between 85 to 90 percent of breast cancers. Finding breast cancer early reduces your risk of dying from the disease by 25 to 30 percent or more. That's why it's so important for a woman to combine an annual mammogram with monthly breast self-examinations and a physical examination of the breasts by her personal doctor.

Mammography can find cancers up to two years before they can actually be felt—at a very early stage when the cancer is most curable!

For the past two decades, the American Cancer Society has been recommending annual mammograms beginning at age 40.

"This is one screening test I recommend unequivocally, and would recommend to any woman 40 and over," the society's chief medical officer, Dr. Otis Brawley, said in a statement.

The single greatest factor of the risk of contracting breast cancer is age. At age 25, your chances are one in 19,608. At age 50, your chances are one in 50. At age 65, your chances are one in 24. And your overall lifetime risk is one in eight.

Another strong risk factor is a personal or family history of breast cancer so be sure to check with your family’s health history for a complete understanding of what your risks may be.

“I would like to receive yearly mammograms, but I do not have health insurance and cannot afford to pay $400 out of pocket,” Sinjur says. 

Many women share Sinjur’s same concern, but for local residents there are options available to help offset the high cost of a mammogram.

The following local resources will help you find a mammography facility to fit your budget.

St. Joseph's Digital Mobile Mammography offer’s convenient access to mammography services by delivering mammography equipment and experienced technicians to women at their workplace, church, community center, or any other easy-to-reach location. It especially wants to reach out to women over age 40 that are underserved or uninsured and have limited access to mammography screenings due to work schedules, time constraints, or those living in remote locations.

Its next local scheduled event is on Jan. 12 in San Jose at Alum Rock Christian Church (2962 Story Rd.) For more information go to St. Joseph's Digital Mobile Mammography.

El Camino Hospital in Mountain View occasionally offers breast exam clinics at a reduced cost. For more information go to El Camino Hospital.

The California Department of Public Health has a Cancer Detection Program named “Every Woman Counts”. To be eligible for a free screening and diagnostic services women need to be age 40 or older. For more information go to Every Woman Counts.

Mammograms may not prevent cancer but they can save lives by finding breast cancer as early as possible. Don’t skimp on your yearly breast exam when you don’t have to.

Men—think you don’t have to worry about breast cancer? Think again. An estimated 1,300 males will be diagnosed with it every year and some 400 will die.