DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog

Doctors know that each year 182,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer.  We also know that each year 43,300 die of breast cancer. In our lifetime,  1 woman in 8 either has or will develop breast cancer.    Tragically,  over a million women over age 40 have never had a mammogram.

The National Cancer Institute recommends that women forty and older have mammograms every one to two years.  They should also have regular clinical breast examinations by a trained medical professional. Monthly breast self-exams are also important.

The key to survival is early detection and action by the physician.   Statistic show that when the cancer is detected in the early stages women are able to fight back and beat the cancer.  The five-year survival rate for breast cancer exceeds 95%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods and when used in conjunction with other available screening tools, doctors have the best opportunities to detect the cancer early and provide treatment to women.
 
The Federal Government provides low cost or free mammograms in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.