Each year in the United States, about 270,000 women get breast cancer* and 42,000 women die from the disease . Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years of age or older, but breast cancer also affects younger women. About one out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a man.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends women get their annual mammogram starting at age 40. We encourage you to talk to your patients between the ages of 40 and 49 about when to start annual screening and how often they should get a mammogram.
Here are some tips to help increase breast cancer screening compliance:
- Women age 50 to 54 years should be screened with a mammography annually.
- For women age 55 years and older, screening with a mammography is recommended once every two years for those with normal risk or once a year for those with increased risk.
- Have your staff chart-prep and flag patients that need an annual screening order placed during their visit.
- Help boost compliance by offering your patients a “standing order” for their annual screening mammogram, allowing them to complete the screening mammogram before their annual visit with you.
To help you make sure your records meet standards for the HEDIS measure, we will share tips for properly documenting breast cancer screenings in next month’s newsletter. To ensure accurate data capture, when ordering a screening, have your provider credentials co-located with the correct ICD-10 code(s).
Here are six ways to help raise breast cancer awareness at your office:
- Wear pink ribbons. In celebration of breast cancer awareness month, give out pink ribbons to everyone at the office.
- Volunteer together.
- Shop pink items and show support.
- Have a pink car wash as a fundraiser.
- Add pink to your office.
- Have a pink potluck lunch.
Additional resources for providers and members can be found at cdc.gov and at komen.org. Also see recommendations for breast cancer screening.
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