Medicare data reveal that many women who are age 65 years or older are not getting their annual mammogram. It's not clear just why this is, but it certainly isn't because they're immune to getting breast cancer. Aging does not confer protection on anyone; actually, the risk of breast cancer increases with age-and never decreases.

A recently published study confirmed that breast cancer screening is effective and appropriate for this age group and that screening has been shown to reduce deaths from this disease in women up to age 75. Still, some older women feel they don't need to "bother" anymore.

Many countries that have breast cancer screening programs only offer the screening to women between ages 50 and 70. We are fortunate that here in the U.S. we've taken a different approach and want to ensure that all women are getting screened from the time they turn 40 and will continue to until their doctor feels that it is medically unnecessary to do so.

When would screening ever become unnecessary? One situation that comes to mind would be an 80-year-old woman who is bedridden in a nursing home after a stroke. In her case, it would be both difficult and uncomfortable to transport her to a mammography facility in an ambulance and then attempt to prop her up to sit or stand for a mammogram.

Mother's Day right is the perfect time to ask Mom if she's had her annual mammogram yet. If she hasn't, help her to schedule one. Better yet, go with her and make it a mother/daughter (or mother/son) day that includes lunch.

What a wonderful way to tell her you love her and care about her health!