Breast Cancer Specialist Says You're Never Too Old For A Mammogram

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Middle-aged women are told over and over again they need a yearly mammogram, but what about older women? Does an 80-year-old need one every year?

Dr. Gordon Schwartz, director of the Breast Care Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, says whether you're 55 or 95, if you're healthy enough to stand long enough to get the mammogram, do it every year.

"What's interesting at least in this country, Medicare will still cover their mammograms throughout their lives, so that's not the reason. In other countries, insurance is a reason.

He says in Europe, payment for mammograms ends at 65. Dr. Schwartz adds that tumors found on mammograms are generally smaller than those detected by touch and finding cancers early at any age increases your chances of surviving the second leading cause of cancer death of women in this country.

If you have questions about breast cancer, Jefferson is holding an "Ask The Experts" online discussion next week. Click here for more information.

Reported by Lynne Adkins, KYW Newsradio 1060