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Our daily schedule may be difficult to deal with. Especially when there is "another thing" to try to adapt. Especially now, when we need to navigate a new set of challenges related to COVID-19, such as video work calls, changing school schedules, and so on.

However, if you are a woman 40 or older, then you should spend more time doing one thing-get a mammogram once a year. This is one hour, once a year, that can save your life.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 250,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and approximately 42,000 women die from the disease each year. Most breast cancer cases occur in women 50 years and older, but young women are not immune. In fact, approximately 11% of new cases in the United States occur in women under 45. This is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among all women and the leading cause of cancer deaths among Hispanic women. Black women have a higher mortality rate from breast cancer than white women.

Mammography is a simple routine screening — about once a year, for about an hour — to help detect breast cancer earlier before waiting for symptoms to appear. This is an important annual check, because early detection of breast cancer is the key to the fight against breast cancer. Some women with breast cancer have no risk factors and no medical history, and some women have no symptoms at all. Mammography can detect breast cancer before symptoms appear. If cancer is found during screening, early detection can make treatment easier and more effective.

It is recommended that women aged 40 and over have an annual mammogram, but if you are at higher risk, you may need to start the annual screening earlier. Some risk factors include genetic mutations, dense breasts, certain reproductive history, postmenopausal overweight, family history of breast and ovarian cancer, personal history of radiotherapy or hormone replacement therapy, history of diethylstilbestrol (DES) medications, and lack of physical activity.

It is a good idea to discuss your risks with your provider and ask you the best time to start scheduling a mammogram.

In addition to the annual mammogram for early detection, you can also do some simple things yourself to help reduce the risk of breast cancer, including regular exercise, adequate sleep, healthy eating, limiting alcohol intake, and avoiding the use of alcohol. Chemicals that cause cancer.

If you have not scheduled your annual mammogram or are ready to schedule your first time, now is a good time to do so. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is a good opportunity to review what you know about the disease and what you can do to help fight it-including mammograms.

Although health care during COVID-19 may look and feel slightly different, you can rest assured that Colorado Plains Medical Center is taking additional measures to ensure the safety of your visit environment, including enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures, daily staff screening, Masks require social distancing in the waiting area.

This year we all pay more attention to our health and make sure we take care of ourselves. The annual mammogram is an important part of it. This is one hour, once a year, that can save your life.

If you want to schedule a mammogram or discuss your breast health with your doctor, please call 970-542-4470 or visit ColoradoPlainsMedicalCenter.com for more information. For more information about breast cancer and mammography, visit Breastcancer.org and cdc.gov/cancer/breast.

Did you know that approximately one in 100 breast cancer cases diagnosed in the United States is a male?

Although rare, it does happen. According to the CDC, the most common symptoms are breast lumps or swelling, breast skin redness or peeling, breast skin irritation or depression, nipple discharge, and inverted nipple or pain in the nipple area.

Although the treatment for breast cancer is the same for men and women, the risk factors may be slightly different. They include older age, genetic mutations, family history of diseases, history of radiation or hormone therapy, Klinefelter syndrome, diseases that affect the testicles, liver disease, and obesity.

Men with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or men with family members with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, should share this information with their provider so that he or she can help guide you in genetic testing and early screening Any potential step detection. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a healthy weight and regular physical exercise, can help all men reduce the risk of disease.

About Colorado Plains Medical Center

Colorado Plains Medical Center is part of LifePoint Health, a 50-bed acute care hospital in Fort Morgan. It was fully endorsed by the joint committee.

The hospital has a tertiary trauma center, emergency rooms covered by 24-hour doctors, and many other services, mainly serving 35,000 people in the two counties. The hospital provides comprehensive diagnostic imaging services, including: MRI, nuclear medicine, CT, radiography, ACR-certified mammography and ultrasound. Rehabilitation services include: physical, occupational and speech therapy. Other services include: behavioral health, cardiopulmonary, surgery, laboratory, obstetrics, family health and diet.

It was established in 1952. For more information about Colorado Plains Medical Center, please call 970-867-3391 or visit ColoradoPlainsMedicalCenter.com.

Don Hislop is the interim chief nursing officer of the Colorado Plains Medical Center in Fort Morgan.

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