Cancer Screenings
- Paris Hilton, 41, recently posted about getting a full body MRI scan in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and World Mental Health Day. She lost her beloved grandmother to breast cancer 20 years ago.
- Screenings are critical to getting a cancer diagnosis early, but it’s important to note that full body MRIs like the one Hilton got are not part of regular screening guidelines for the public.
- Screening recommendations can vary depending on the type of cancer and your risk factors, so it's important to pay attention to guidelines. If you want to know what screening recommendations are appropriate for you, have a conversation with your doctor about screening recommendations and your cancer risk.
- With breast cancer, for example, the American Cancer Society (ACS) says women should begin yearly mammogram screening at age 45 if they are at average risk for breast cancer but earlier if they are at a higher risk. The ACS also says those aged 40-44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year, and women age 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms.
In a recent post honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month and World Mental Health Day, Hilton shared that she had recently undergone a whole body MRI scan to screen for possible cancers.
Read MoreView this post on Instagram“My grandmother passed away from breast cancer and I miss her every single day,” she wrote in her caption. “I can’t stress how important it is for my mental health to make sure I’m being proactive and not reactive when it comes to my physical health.
“I went to @Prenuvo to get a full body scan and I was so impressed with their incredible technology and how fast I got my results! I encourage every single one of you to go get a scan and make sure you are taking care of yourselves”
Although SurvivorNet commends Hilton’s message of taking your health into her own hands, it important to note that Prenuvo’s full body MRIs are not part of regular screening guidelines for the public and she was likely paid to promote that company.
Hilton also recently took the time to share a touching message about mental health with her followers. She’s been vocal about mental health lately after coming forward to speak about the abuse she endured as a teen.
“Happy World Mental Health Day to all my survivor sisters and brothersâ¤ï¸,” she wrote on her Instagram Story alongside a photo of herself wearing a T-shirt with the word “Survivor” on the back. “Advocating for change has allowed me to heal in such a profound way alongside you.
“We did not deserve abuse and you do not deserve to struggle in silence. I wanted to come on here and let you know #ISeeYouSurvivor.”
Paris Hilton Loses Her Grandmother to Breast Cancer
Paris Hilton’s grandmother, Kathy Richards, lost her battle with breast cancer when she was just 63 years old. In an Instagram post from March 2022, she made a heartfelt tribute to mark 20 years without her beloved grandmother.
View this post on Instagram“At this exact time 20 years ago at 3pm, I lost one of the most important people in my life to breast cancer,” she wrote in her caption. “We were so close, she was like a second mother to me. She was everything and more.”
She went on to talk to about grieving such a “heartbreaking” loss.
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“Losing her was and still is the most painful and heartbreaking experience of my life,” she wrote. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about her.
“I know you're watching over me in Heaven, making this all possible. Thank you for being the best guardian Angel.”
Cancer Screenings Are Critical
When it comes to getting a cancer diagnosis early, screenings are critical. By attending recommended screenings regularly, doctors can check for signs of cancer in the earliest stages. This, in turn, can lead to more treatment options and a higher likelihood of entering remission.
It is Important to Continue Screenings Through COVID-19
Screening recommendations can vary depending on the type of cancer and your risk factors, so it's important to pay attention to guidelines. If you want to know what screening recommendations are appropriate for you, have a conversation with your doctor about screening recommendations and your cancer risk.
With breast cancer, for example, screening is typically done via mammogram which looks for lumps in the breast tissue and signs of cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) says women should begin yearly mammogram screening for breast cancer at age 45 if they are at average risk for breast cancer. The ACS also says those aged 40-44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year, and women age 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms.
For screening purposes, a woman is considered to be at average risk if she doesn't have a personal history of breast cancer, a strong family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation known to increase risk of breast cancer such as a BRCA gene mutation or a medical history including chest radiation therapy before the age of 30. Beyond genetics, family history and experience with radiation therapy, experiencing menstruation at an early age (before 12) or having dense breasts can also put you into a high-risk category. If you are at a higher risk for developing breast cancer, you should begin screening earlier.
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Connie Lehman, chief of the Breast Imaging Division at Massachusetts General Hospital, said people who hadn't reached menopause yet should prioritize getting a mammogram every year.
When Should I Get a Mammogram?
"We know that cancers grow more rapidly in our younger patients, and having that annual mammogram can be lifesaving," Dr. Lehman said. "After menopause, it may be perfectly acceptable to reduce that frequency to every two years. But what I'm most concerned about is the women who haven't been in for a mammogram for two, three or four years, those women that have never had a mammogram. We all agree regular screening mammography saves lives."
It's also important to be on top of self breast exams. If you ever feel a lump in your breast, you should be vigilant and speak with your doctor right away. Voicing your concerns as soon as you have them can lead to earlier cancer detection which, in turn, can lead to better outcomes.
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