Letter to the editor: Mammograms save lives; don't put them off

Cancer didn’t stop because of the pandemic, but nonemergency exams like mammograms came to a screeching halt.

Now, as we enter National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, you should know that medical imaging centers throughout Western Pennsylvania have safely reopened and are offering mammography again. This is a good time to make an appointment to get your annual mammogram.

It’s smart to be cautious, but the fact remains that mammography saves lives. So check with your mammogram provider about safety protocols it has in place, but please don’t put it off. Delayed diagnosis increases the odds that a cancer will not be found until it is more advanced and less treatable. An accurate and timely diagnosis can make all the difference for your health.

Dr. Matthew J. Miller

Bell Acres