Health Plan of San Joaquin | Focus Your Health | Fall 2019

8 Focus Your Health It’s time for your annual health checkup! Take care of yourself by getting a mammogram. Steps to a healthier YOU! Let’s get started Early detection saves lives! Call your doctor to make an appointment. An annual health checkup includes: mammogram, pelvic exam and Pap smear. Day of the mammogram appointment: ● ● No deodorant, perfumes or lotions. ● ● Wear a two-piece outfit. Exams require removing your shirt and bra. During the exam: ● ● You might feel some discomfort. ● ● The machine will press down on your breast for a few seconds. ● ● The exam is about 20 minutes long. After the exam: ● ● You will receive a call from your doctor to go over the results. ● ● Ask the doctors or nurses to explain anything you don’t understand. Good job on taking care of YOURSELF! Getting called back after a mammogram is common and doesn’t mean you have breast cancer. Fewer than 1 in 10 women called back for more tests are found to have cancer. Tips 1 A mammogram is an x-ray pic- ture of the breast and requires a referral from your doctor. 2 Know your body. The risk for breast cancer increases after the age of 50. 3 7 out of 10 women in their 40s who died from breast cancer did not have a routine mammogram screening.* *Source: National Cancer Institute