Every October, pink ribbons remind us of something important: breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, and finding it early makes an enormous difference. When breast cancer is caught at an early, localized stage, treatment is most effective and survival rates are highest.

Know What’s Normal for You

Screening starts with awareness. Get familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel, and tell your healthcare provider about changes such as:

• A new lump in the breast or underarm
• Thickening, swelling, or dimpling of the skin
• Nipple discharge or a nipple that turns inward
• Redness, flaking, or changes in size or shape

Most changes turn out to be something other than cancer—but the only way to know is to have them checked.

Mammograms: The Screening Workhorse

A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray that can find breast cancer before it can be felt—often years earlier. Many women begin regular mammograms around age 40, and screening schedules vary based on personal and family history. Women at higher risk may need to start earlier or add other imaging.

The right schedule for you is a conversation with your provider, based on your history, your family’s history, and your comfort level.

Don’t Let Fear Cause Delay

Some women put off screening because they’re nervous about the test or afraid of what it might find. That’s human. But mammograms take only a few minutes, and the peace of mind—or the early catch—is worth the discomfort.

Bottom Line

If you’re due for a mammogram, have noticed a change, or simply aren’t sure where you stand, bring it up at a wellness visit. We can review your history, talk through the right screening schedule, and coordinate the referral for imaging—so nothing falls through the cracks.

Complete Care of Iowa is on the square at 113 E. Marion St. in Sigourney. Call 641-541-4040 or book an appointment online — same-day appointments are available for urgent, everyday concerns.