Like finally cleaning out your gym bag or actually eating your greens, mammograms are one of those necessary and healthy (yet annoying) things we get to deal with. That's why we're pleased to see actress Sofia Vergara have a little fun with her screening this year, a tradition she started with a selfie last year.
Vergara's post shows her in front of a mammogram machine doing a cute little dance. "You have to do it!!!" she captioned the video. Last May she posted a similar photo and captioned it, "Its that time of year," suggesting that the exam is an annual event for her. And, considering she dealt with thyroid cancer in 2000, it's not surprising that she's so on top of her preventive care.
But, although pretty much everyone agrees that mammograms are a crucial part of screening for breast cancer, different institutions have differing opinions on exactly how often they should be done—and when you should start getting them. The American Cancer Society guidelines state that women should have the choice to start yearly mammograms between the ages of 40 and 45, and they can choose to roll that back to every other year when they turn 55.
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However, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines, women younger than 50 should talk to their doctor about their individual circumstances to decide what's best together. The benefits of early screening may not outweigh the costs (including false-positives) for everyone at that age. Between the ages of 50 and 74, however, the USPSTF recommends women get mammograms every other year.
And, of course, if you have other circumstances, including a history of cancer, your doctor may recommend a different screening schedule. So, if you're concerned, take Vergara's lead and start the convo with your doc—but she might just tell you to sit tight for a few years.
Related:
- What Does It Mean to Have 'Dense' Breasts?
- 6 Breast Things That Are Completely Normal—and When You Should Worry
- Here's How to Actually do a Breast Self-Exam Properly
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