Mammograms encouraged by U.S. Senator Larry Craig and his wife

U.S. Senator Larry Craig and his wife Suzanne are reminding women across the country to be screened for breast cancer as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“Breast cancer deaths in America have been declining for more than a decade. Much of that success is due to early detection and better treatments for women. I strongly encourage women to get a mammogram,” said Sen. Craig, who serves as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.

Medicare pays 80 percent of the approved cost for a screening mammogram while the patient pays the remaining 20 percent. According to published reports, mammograms generally cost between $100 and $150.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will also pay all or some of the cost of breast cancer screening services through its National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. The program provides mammograms and breast exams by a health professional to low-income, underinsured, and underserved women in all 50 states, six U.S. territories, the District of Columbia, and 14 American Indian/Alaska Native organizations. For more information, contact your state health department or call the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.

“Every woman has a loved one or friend whose life has been impacted by this life-threatening disease. I join Larry in encouraging women to contact their doctor about getting a mammogram as soon as they can,” said Suzanne Craig.

The CDC reports that mammography screening among women 40 years older or older could prevent approximately 16 percent of all deaths from breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women.

The American Cancer Society’s website reports that breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the United States and accounts for nearly one out of three cancers diagnosed in U.S. women. The disease also accounted for 1,300 deaths among American men last year.