Women's Health Wednesday: Cancer Screenings

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) - One of the biggest dangers to women and their health is cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. 

In 2024, it is estimated that there will be 310,720 new cases of female breast cancer and an estimated 42,250 people will die of this disease.

In April, the US Preventive Services Task Force finalized new breast cancer screening recommendations for all women to every other year starting at the age of 40. It comes as more young adult women are getting diagnosed with cancer.

The Hologic Global Women’s Health Index found that 43% of the women who participated in their latest survey, skipped their health screenings. Many of them cited fear, a lack of information, and time differences while juggling the needs of their families as top reasons for missing their screenings. Some of the key screenings being missed are for cervical cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer too.