Kern Legacy Health Plan | A Legacy of Good Health | Fall 2021

DID YOU KNOW? Annual screening mammograms for women age 40 and over are covered by your Kern Legacy Health Plan at no cost to you. Visit www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com or call 661-868-3182 for a list of contracted providers. 2 Prevent COVID-19 and the flu 6 Open enrollment: What you need to know Inside FALL 2021 You’ve probably heard or read the statistic by now: About 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be di- agnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. Treatments work best when breast cancer is caught early. That’s why it’s important to get screened regularly for the disease if you’re 45 or older. But it’s equally as important to know the signs and symptoms of breast cancer at any age, since even younger women can—and do—get the disease. Be on the lookout—and speak up Any changes to the look or feel of your breasts shouldn’t be ignored. Chances are, something other than cancer is the cause. But it’s always best to let your primary care provider know if you’re having any of the following possible signs or symptoms of breast cancer: ● A lump or thickening in or near a breast or in the underarm area. ● A change in the size or shape of a breast. ● A dimple or puckering in the skin of a breast. ● A nipple that has turned inward or a sore near the nipple. ● Fluid, other than breast milk, leaking from a nipple, especially if the fluid is bloody or leaks from only one breast. ● Skin irritation or changes—such as puckering, dimpling, scaliness or new creases—anywhere on a breast, nipple or areola (the dark area of skin around the nipple). ● Dimples in a breast that look like the skin of an orange. ● Pain in a breast, especially if the pain doesn’t go away. Your provider will ask you how long and how often you’ve been experiencing these signs and symptoms. They’ll also examine your breasts. And if necessary, they may take a sample of your blood and order tests like a mammogram, an ultrasound or a breast MRI. You may need a biopsy if results of those tests suggest something suspicious. The thought of having breast cancer can be scary. But try to remember that other conditions can cause changes to your breasts. That’s why it’s al- ways best to see your provider and get a diagnosis. Sources: American Cancer Society; American Society of Clinical Oncology; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Cancer Institute 2 minutes: On average, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes. BR E AST CANCE R BY THE NUMBE RS 1 in 8: The number of women who will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. 13 minutes: A woman dies of breast cancer every 13 minutes. Source: breastcancer.org Is it breast cancer? Know the possible signs and symptoms Mammograms: When should you be screened? The American Cancer Society recommends women at average risk for breast cancer be screened according to these guidelines: ● Women between ages 40 and 44 should have the choice to start screening with a mam- mogram every year. ● Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year. ● Women 55 and older can continue with yearly mammo- grams. Or they can choose to start having a mammogram ev- ery other year. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and expected to live at least 10 more years. ● Women who are at high risk for breast cancer may need to start screening earlier or be screened more often. K ern L egacy H ealth P lans