Spotlight

Stephanie L. Nicholas, MD

As part of the Health Plan’s “Focus on Women” initiative, experts involved with women’s health will offer guidance on preventive care. Stephanie L. Nicholas, MD, specializes in Obstetrics & Gynecology and is affiliated with Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, she is connected with Womancare Associates, a physician practice with locations in Bethel Park and Greentree.

When it comes to women and preventive care for breast cancer, Stephanie L. Nicholas, MD, understands the best course of action is to assume nothing.

“We tend to assume that after the age of 40, women will get a mammogram every year,” says Dr. Nicholas. “We can no longer make that assumption.”

As evidence, Dr. Nicholas cites a recent study that shows fewer women are getting mammograms. The surprising part is that the most noticeable drop has occurred in the group of women who in the past have been the most likely to be screened for breast cancer. A National Cancer Institute study indicated a 7 percent drop in screening rates among women ages 50 to 64 between 2000 and 2005.

“We have to reiterate the value of screening,” Dr. Nicholas says. “Survival rates from breast cancer are largely determined by how early it is detected.” Dr. Nicholas is not certain what is causing the decline, only that “it appears to be a motivation issue.” 

“Maybe, there’s a little bit of complacency,” she says. “Maybe some women feel if they’ve had mammograms in the past and they have no history of the disease in their family, there isn’t any
urgency. Whatever the reason, the message we have to get out is that an annual mammogram is very beneficial to everyone.”

Dr. Nicholas said that the age when a woman should start getting mammograms may differ among patients. The two main determining factors are age and family history. “But in general, a woman should start to get mammograms at age 40 and continue for the rest of her life.”