If you know eight women, statistically, you know someone who will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life.

According to data from breastcancer.org, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the U.S., affecting 1 in every 8 women.

So far this year, about 321,910 women have received an invasive breast cancer diagnosis. Another 60,730 will be diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, a non-invasive form of the disease. The organization estimates about 42,140 women will die from breast cancer this year alone.

While female breast cancer incidence rates have slowly risen since the mid-2000s, the news isn’t all bad. Those increased cases were caught — often early enough for treatment to lead to remission — thanks to screening options like mammograms, sonograms and MRIs (when necessary).

Current screening guidelines, according to the AHN Breast Imaging Center, are for women to begin annual mammography screening at age 40. Women with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 cancer genes — or who have a family history of breast cancer — may need to start screening sooner.

Even if you’re doing regular breast self-exams at home, they can’t replace the precision of a mammogram, which can catch lumps and other cancerous growths in the earliest stages. Still, many women put off the annual screenings. Some due to fear of what to expect and others because they consider mammograms painful.

While it’s true the compression associated with a mammogram is uncomfortable, those three to five seconds of discomfort could save your life.

Mammograms remain the most effective tool for catching breast cancer early. They can detect tumors years before you would ever feel them during a physical exam.

Without health insurance and worried about how to pay for it? Several programs exist to help cover the costs, including the Adagio Health Mammogram Voucher Program. Your healthcare provider can recommend other assistance options.

We know the conversation around breast cancer screening can feel overwhelming. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and ask them to address any fear you may have about getting your annual screenings.

Then, after you’ve scheduled your annual screening, remind eight women you know and love to do the same.

— SLB