Wyoming Battling Low Breast Cancer Screening Rates
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and while most people are aware of the disease, many women in Wyoming aren't getting mammograms.
In 2014, 65.2% of Wyoming women age 40 and over reported having a mammogram in the past two years, according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
"We would like to see a higher rate of people getting the mammograms that are recommended to them, that's been a continual problem in our state for a number of years," said Wyoming Department of Health Spokeswoman Kim Deti. "In fact, the last year where they have the data that compares our state to other states we're actually last in our rate."
Deti says most screening procedures are covered by insurance, but there is help available for women who are uninsured or low income.
"If they're 50 or older we've got a program that can help," said Deti. "We don't want cost to be a barrier in getting the screening that someone should have."
The Wyoming Department of Health recommends women receive a mammogram every one to two years beginning at age 50. Women over the age of 40 with a family history of breast cancer or other risks factors should also get regular screenings.