Taking care of your health means staying proactive, and one of the most effective tools for protecting women’s health is a mammogram. This imaging test can detect breast cancer in its earliest stages, often before any symptoms appear.
Why mammograms matter
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S. About 1 in 8 women will face a diagnosis in their lifetime — but early detection changes everything. According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is about 99% when found early. Mammograms can reveal changes in breast tissue up to two years before a lump can be felt.
When to start — and how often
Current guidelines support beginning annual screening mammography at age 40 for women at average risk, with earlier and more frequent screening for women at elevated risk — including those with dense breasts or family history. Your physician can help tailor a schedule to your personal risk profile, including tools like the Tyrer-Cuzick lifetime risk assessment included with every RMI 3D UltimateMamm®.
Make your screening count
Schedule the week after your period, skip deodorant on exam day, and bring prior images if you have them. RMI offers 3D mammography across eight Michigan locations.