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Wyoming Department Of Health Recommends Mammograms Start At 50

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the American Cancer Society has introduced new guidelines for breast cancer screening. It now recommends people get mammograms at age 45 instead of 40.

Morgan Powell is the outreach coordinator for the Wyoming Department of Health’s Integrated Cancer Services. She says Wyoming recommends starting at age 50, the same as the US Preventative Services.

Still, "There are exceptions to every rule," says Powell. "If there are signs and symptoms of Breast Cancer, that absolutely makes you a priority for the program."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, Wyoming is tied for the lowest breast cancer screening rate in the US. Powell says some of the reasons for that low rate include the cost of mammograms for the state’s uninsured, worry over a breast cancer diagnosis, and the rural nature of health care providers in the state. Still, Powell says not getting screened is risky.

"They could potentially develop cancer, and if they don’t go get screened regularly then the cancer metastasizes and by the time it gets caught it’s a lot harder to treat," she says.

Out of all types of cancer, the CDC says breast cancer has the 3rd highest mortality rate in Wyoming.

Wyoming now has a program for free breast cancer screening for low income people, which includes mammograms, diagnostic services, and cervical exams for women 50 and over. Individuals without health insurance at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level can apply at health.wyo.gov.

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