Women of all ages can take a big step toward good health by scheduling an annual breast exam with their doctor. Breast cancer is a serious risk for a woman – in fact, 1-in-8 will have breast cancer in her lifetime. Still, early detection is the best way to improve your chances of living a healthy and cancer-free life. Besides a clean bill of health, here are three great reasons to make your appointment today.

1. Increase your ability to fight and win.

When diagnosed early, breast cancer is easier to treat – giving you the winning advantage in good health. Clinical breast exams and mammograms are two tests that can help detect breast cancer. For women, ages 50-74, mammogram is the best way to detect breast cancer in early stages.

With the most significant risk factors for breast cancer being gender (women) and age (growing older), talk to your health care provider about which screening tests are right for you.

2. Protect your family tree.

Family history does not determine your risk for breast cancer, but it can play an important role in helping to determine risk factors. When you are better informed about your health – you can also better inform the women in your family. If not for yourself, make an appointment to better protect the ones you love.

3. Put extra cash in your wallet.

If you have medical or supplemental health care coverage, you may be able to cash in on a wellness benefit. Many insurance providers offer incentives to encourage you to take preventative steps to protect your health. For example, Aflac pays a wellness benefit of $25 – $100 per calendar year when a covered person receives a mammogram, breast ultrasound, biopsy or other covered wellness procedure.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Breast Cancer Survival RateFACTS AND FIGURES

» When caught early, the survival rate for breast cancer is as high as 98%,

» About 15% of women who get breast cancer have a family member diagnosed with it.

» Excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, accounting for nearly 1-in-3 cancers diagnosed in US women.

» Half (50%) of women who developed breast cancer during 2004-2008 were 61 years of age or younger at the time of diagnosis.

» In 2010, 67.1% of women 40 years of age and over had a mammogram in the past 2 years.

» Six out of 10 individuals (62%) think it’s not very or not at all likely they or a family member will be diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer.

» If you do not have health insurance, you may be eligible for a free or low-cost breast cancer screening through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. To learn more, visit CDC.GOV – Cancer Screening.

AFLAC PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT: CANCER CARE POLICY

Cancer can take a toll on an individual and their family – physically, emotionally and even financially. Since 1958 Aflac has protected families with cancer insurance treatment costs. Cash benefits offer policyholders the flexibility to pay bills related to their treatment or to help with everyday living expenses – whichever is best for them. Contact MLI today to find out more about the Aflac Cancer Care Policy.