Dr. Elizabeth Pezoa is currently a second year Family Medicine resident at the Washington Health System. She was born and raised in Middletown, PA. She attended the University of Pittsburgh nearby studying Emergency Medicine and Theatre Arts. Afterwards, she enrolled in the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She spends as much time as she can with her amazing husband, beautiful one year old and looks forward to baby #2 this coming January.
Breast Cancer Awareness:
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important to realize that about one out of every eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), breast cancer is the leading type of cancer (with the exception of skin cancer) among American women. Detecting breast cancer early is critical to the success of treatment.
Screening recommendations for women with AVERAGE risk of breast cancer according to the ACS are based on age:
- If 40 to 44 years old: Optional Mammogram every 1 year.
- If 45 to 54 years old: Mammogram every 1 year.
- If 55 years of age or older: Mammogram screening every 1-2 years until she is no longer expected to live 10 or more years.
Screening recommendation for women at HIGH risk of breast cancer:
- Should receive a screening mammogram and MRI.
- A health care provider can help figure out the best screening plan for your unique situation.
The Washington Health System’s Women’s Center has highly trained technologists certified by the American Academy of Radiology Technologists with special training in mammography. The Women’s Center also has Fellowship-Trained Staff Women’s imagers and specialized radiologists.
Your family doctor can help answer any questions or concerns you have about breast cancer and screening for breast cancer to help detect breast cancer at an earlier stage.