Community Connection: Covenant Health | 5
4: Be aware of your own individual risk.
The much-cited lifetime breast cancer risk of 1 in 8 women isn't meaningful for making personal
decisions. Screening procedures are different for average-risk and high-risk women, so it's
important to work with your care team to understand what your unique profile is.
5: The care decisions are ultimately yours.
"I'm about empowering the patient to make her own decision," says Dr. Gonzalez. For a high-
risk patient, especially one with a genetic mutation, the decision may involve a prophylactic
mastectomy. For a newly diagnosed patient, it may be the choice between a mastectomy and a
lumpectomy. "The best thing we can do is to provide education," she says.
Call 833-786-1120 or click here for more info on breast care diagnostics and to schedule a
mammogram.
Don't lose a moment
to breast cancer
Women over 40 should have a mammogram every two years or sooner based on risk factors.
Ask your doctor if you are due for a breast exam or mammogram.
Don't lose a moment to breast cancer
Regular screening mammograms are important to
detect breast cancer in its most treatable stages.
