BATON ROUGE, La. – In recognition of National Mammography Day this Friday, Oct. 21, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana reminds everyone that screening saves lives – IF you get tested.
“Mammograms are one of the most effective preventive screenings because they can catch breast cancer in its earliest stages, when treatment is most likely to succeed,” said Dr. Emily Vincent, Blue Cross medical director. “The key is to make sure you get mammograms or any other preventive screenings you need at the right time, based on your age and family or medical history.”
Dr. Vincent said everyone should have at least one checkup a year with their health care provider to discuss any changes in their health status and ask about any screenings, shots or tests they should have.
“Too often, we hear stories about people who didn’t have time and put off having mammograms and other tests. By the time they did, their cancer had spread to other areas of the body or was in more advanced stages, which makes it harder and more complex to treat,” she said. “I know it’s not easy, but make the time to see your provider. And if you need to have a mammogram or other test, ask your provider to help you get that scheduled as soon as possible. It could save your life.”
Health officials generally recommend women start regular mammogram screening at age 40. Women with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors may need to begin having mammograms at a younger age. Women of all ages should do breast self-exams at least once a month.
“Your provider can also do a breast exam as part of your annual checkup to show you the proper way to do this on your own and to advise you if you need additional screening,” Dr. Vincent said.
Dr. Vincent shares the importance of breast cancer screening in this Health Notes PSA (:30).
Blue Cross and other health insurers cover mammograms and preventive screenings for eligible members at very low or no out-of-pocket cost. Contact Customer Service for your health plan (the number is on your member ID card) to find out how cancer screening is covered and how much you would pay.
Blue, Black and Gold Go Pink
During October, Blue Cross is teaming up with the New Orleans Saints and Blue Bikes, New Orleans’ bikeshare program, to remind everyone that screening saves lives.
Follow Blue Cross on social media @BCBSLA throughout October to see original graphic designs, videos and other messages about breast cancer awareness and the ways screening saves lives. This includes social content featuring Saints mascot Gumbo to remind you that screening beats cancer. You can download, share or post these messages on your social media and inspire your loved ones to get screened. Blue Cross posts regularly on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
This month, Blue Cross is sponsoring a pink bike takeover with Blue Bikes. Throughout October, 50 bikes available in the fleet will feature special pink baskets with designs promoting breast cancer screening. Riders can take or share pictures of the pink Blue Bikes to show why they #RidePinkNOLA.
Follow Blue Bikes on social media @BlueBikesNOLA this month to enter a contest for a chance to win a one-year Blue Bikes membership ($300 value). Learn more about the Ride Pink NOLA promotion in this video news release from Hometown Productions (14:32).
Visit www.BlueBikesNOLA.com for more information about bike locations and rider options.
STRONGER THAN Cancer
Blue Cross members who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or any other type of cancer can get health coaching, information and support from the insurer’s clinical team.
Blue Cross health coaches include nurses, dietitians and pharmacists. They work one-on-one with members who have been diagnosed with serious illnesses, long-term conditions or severe injuries and offer personalized education, tips to stick to your provider’s care plan and help connecting with network providers or community resources. Members do not pay anything to work with a health coach.
Visit www.bcbsla.com/Stronger for more information about Care Management services and programs. Other health insurers offer similar health coaching services for members. Contact Customer Service for your health plan to ask about what is available to you.
Visit the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana YouTube channel to see short videos on preventive cancer screening, health coaching and other wellness topics. Subscribe to know when new videos are added.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is committed to our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. Founded in New Orleans in 1934, we are a tax-paying nonprofit health insurer with offices in every major region to serve our customers. We have been recognized for the past three years as an honoree of The Civic 50, named by Points of Light as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. We are a private mutual company, owned by our policyholders, with an independent Louisiana Board of Directors and no shareholders. We invite all Louisianians to visit our website at www.bcbsla.com or talk to us on social media.
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