Provider Blog / Breast Cancer Screening Saves Lives
October 28, 2027
Breast Cancer Screening Saves Lives
October is Breast Cancer Screening Awareness Month, a time to promote early detection through routine mammograms. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States, and regular screening can help detect cancer early, when treatment is often most effective.
HEDIS® Breast Cancer Screening (BCS-E) focuses on women ages 52-74 who should receive recommended mammography screening. Improving screening rates not only supports better patient outcomes but also enhances quality performance measures.
How Providers Can Help
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- Review and address breast cancer screening care gaps.
- Recommend mammograms during all appropriate patient visits.
- Help patients overcome barriers such as transportation, scheduling, and financial concerns.
- Assist with scheduling and follow-up efforts.
- Ensure complete and accurate documentation of screenings and results.
Let’s use Breast Cancer Screening Awareness Month as an opportunity to increase screening rates, promote early detection, and improve the health of your patients.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Screening for Breast Cancer. http://www.cdc.gov/breast-cancer/screening/index.html
- National Cancer Institute. Breast Cancer Screening.
http://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/screening - National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). HEDIS® MY 2026 Volume 2 Technical Specifications for Health Plans: Breast Cancer Screening (BCS-E).
(Refer to your organization’s licensed HEDIS specifications.) - American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines. http://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/american-cancer-society-recommendations-for-the-early-detection-of-breast-cancer.html