Lets start paying attention to breasts when it matters the most, Sykes says in the ad.

Early detection for breast cancer is a game changer, and why Im able to be here today.

The ad definitely got people talkingand, in the case of cancer screening, thats a good thing.

Wanda Sykes on football field

Photo courtesy of Novartis, photography by Riis Massey-Williams.

Heres what they want you to know.

The ad uses Americas obsession with boobs to hammer home the importance of preventive care.

Its the biggest event of the year, he says.

And, as research shows, lots of folksaremissing their screening.

Data from theCDCshow that just 66% of women aged 40 and older are up-to-date on their mammograms.

It encourages people to stop and think, Breast cancer could happen to me, she says.

Its always important to have a reminder.

(TheUS Preventive Services Task Forcecurrently recommends every-other-year screening for women 40 to 74).

Screening is crucial, Dr. Ruiz says.

You do these early screens and you nip things in the bud before theyre life-threatening.

metastasized) from the breast to the lymph nodes or other organs.

And the FDA has anonline search toolto help you find a screening site too.

Waiting on a referral should never be a barrier to getting screened, Dr. Ataya says.

In fact, this happens in about 10% of cases, per theNational Cancer Institute (NCI).

So dont let that worry dissuade you from getting screened in the first place.

If you do get that message, Dr. Grumley says its important not to panic.

Getting called back does not mean you have cancer, she says.

It just means we need to have a better look.

Only 7% led to a cancer diagnosis, according to the NCI.

They should be able to guide you from there.

The idea of breast cancer screening is a little intimidating, and its easy to push it off.

But not getting screened doesnt mean youre cancer-freeit just means you dont know whats happening in your body.

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