Breast health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer screening means checking a woman’s breasts for cancer before there are signs of the disease.¹ A screening can help find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat.

Per to the American Cancer Society, 

• Women 40 and 44 can choose to get a mammogram every year. 
• Women 45 to 54 should get a yearly mammogram.
• Women 55 and older can change to a mammogram every other year, or they can keep having one every year. 

Mammogram

A mammogram:

• Is an X-ray of the breast
• Is the best way to find breast cancer early, when treatment is easier and before cancer is big enough to feel or cause symptoms
• Can help lower the risk of dying from breast cancer
• Is a covered benefit for Medicaid members in Kentucky

Learn about mammography recommendations for women at average risk of breast cancer opens in new window and for women at higher than average risk of breast cancer opens in new window .

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A breast MRI:

• Uses magnets and radio waves to take pictures of the breast
• Is used along with mammograms to screen women who are at high risk for getting breast cancer
• Is not used for women at average risk of getting breast cancer

Clinical breast exam

During a clinical breast exam, a doctor or nurse uses his or her hands to feel for lumps or other changes in the breast.

According to the Susan G. Komen^® organization, you should keep in mind the following before, during, and after getting a mammogram:³

Before your mammogram

• Avoid using antiperspirants, deodorants, lotions, perfumes, or powders on your breasts and underarm areas, as ingredients in these products can show up on a mammogram and make reading it harder
• Wear a shirt you easily can remove, as you will have to undress from the waist up

During your mammogram

• Each breast is pressed between two plates
• Two X-ray images are made of each breast – one with the X-ray beam aimed from top to bottom, and one with the X-ray beam aimed from side to side
• The screening will take about 15 minutes

After your mammogram

• Expect to get results within 2 weeks of your screening, although some healthcare providers give results immediately
• Contact your healthcare provider if you do not get your results in 2 weeks
• Don’t assume that your results are normal if you don’t hear from your healthcare provider

You can qualify to earn rewards by enrolling in Go365 for Humana Healthy Horizons and then completing one or more healthy activities, such as having a breast cancer screening.

Learn more about how to qualify for and redeem rewards .

1. “What is Breast Cancer Screening?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last accessed November 15, 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/breast-cancer/screening/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/screening.htm opens in new window .
2. American Cancer Society. "American Cancer Society Recommendations for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer." Last revised December 19, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/american-cancer-society-recommendations-for-the-early-detection-of-breast-cancer.html opens in new window . Accessed September 30, 2025. 
3. “Getting a Mammogram,” The Susan G. Komen organization, last accessed November 15, 2024, https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/screening/mammography/getting-a-mammogram/ opens in new window .