New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Released
L
ast month, the American Cancer Society released new breast cancer screening guidelines recommending that women should wait until age 45 to begin annual mammograms—five years later than previously recommended.
The American Cancer Society now believes that mammograms may do more harm than good before age 45, as younger women may receive “false positive” results and undergo unnecessary follow-up testing. It is important to remember that this recommendation is not definitive, as other reputable organizations advise different screening guidelines (for example, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends age 50). To determine what is best for you, talk to your doctor, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors.
Hope, Joy, Peace and Compassion In addition to finding ways to stay physically active this holiday include other areas of well-being such as social, community, and spiritual. Choose to embrace these activities individually, with a group you belong to or at the office.
Support community involvement like attending treelighting ceremonies, going caroling, or participating in worship services.
Foster social connections at work with an ornament exchange, a healthy holiday potluck, ugly sweater day at the office or an awkward holiday photo contest.
Promote a food, toy, or adopt-a-family drive. Participants can help organize it, recruit donors, or sort, wrap, and deliver donations.
Contact your local animal, homeless or women’s shelter to offer your time or gifts.
Encourage employees and their families to relish the sights and sounds, tastes and aromas, traditions and beliefs that make this season special for them.