Have you talked with your doctor about annual mammograms? Are you in the category for women who should schedule annual breast cancer screenings?

This fall, the Atlanta Falcons have teamed up with the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and Emory Healthcare, the official team healthcare provider of the Falcons, to encourage annual breast cancer screenings through the "Crucial Catch" campaign.

Routine cancer screenings and getting expert treatment in the early stages are the most reliable strategies to prevent deaths from breast cancer. Breast cancer is sometimes found after symptoms appear, but many women with breast cancer have no symptoms. The benefit of screening mammograms is finding cancer early when it's small and has not spread, which makes it easier to treat.

The Emory Breast Imaging Center recommends:

• Annual mammograms for all women beginning at age 40
• A risk assessment by age 30 to see if you are at an increased risk for breast cancer— this is a particularly good idea for Black and Jewish women, who may be at a higher risk for breast cancer than the general population; and those with a strong family history. For some women, screening before age 40 might be beneficial.

Schedule a Mammogram

To schedule a mammogram at one of Emory Healthcare's Breast Imaging Center locations across Metro Atlanta area, call 404-778-9729 to speak with a scheduling coordinator.

Expert Treatment for Breast Cancer

If you have been newly diagnosed with breast cancer, or want a second opinion on your breast cancer diagnosis, turn to the Emory Glenn Family Breast Center at Winship. The center draws upon Emory Healthcare's vast resources to bring together a multidisciplinary team of specialists in medical, surgical and radiation oncology, plastic surgery, breast imaging, pathology, and genetic counseling.

Winship's comprehensive care teams also include patient navigators, oncology nurses and social workers. These teams develop personalized care plans based on the most current discoveries in breast cancer treatment and research.