Breast Cancer Awareness month: Steps you can take to prevent this deadly disease

Above: A state-by-state breakdown of new female breast cancer diagnoses per 100,000 women (Kansas data unavailable). Map courtesy American Cancer Society.

Chances are you know someone who’s faced breast cancer. Currently, one in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her life, according to the American Cancer Society.  October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and now is an excellent time to encourage loved ones to schedule a mammogram – or schedule one for yourself.

Most women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. Breastcancer.org recommends a routine monthly breast self-exam as an important part of screening. This can help identify any changes that should be reported to a doctor. In addition, mammograms can detect cancer before it’s large enough to be found by touch.

The American Cancer Society recommends women ages 45 to 54 get a mammogram every year. Women age 55 and older can switch to mammograms every two years. Women in a high-risk category may begin at an earlier age.

Most health Regence health plans cover annual in-network preventive mammograms at 100 percent.  To review your benefits, log in to your account at Regence.com, or reach out to our customer service team who is standing by to answer questions about benefits and coverage.