Private health

I’m 52 and have dense breasts. Years ago, my doctor advised I get an annual breast ultrasound in addition to my 3D mammogram, and to space them six months apart. I’m due for my mammogram, but I missed my ultrasound because of COVID. Should I postpone the mammo and get the ultrasound first to get back on schedule?

No! I never advise putting off mammograms. The American

Cancer Society recommends yearly mammograms for women ages 45 to 54 (women 55 and older can switch to every other year). And a new Swedish study shows keeping up with your schedule can help catch breast cancer in its early, most treatable stages.

As you know, dense breasts, which have less fatty tissue and more fibrous or glandular tissue, can make it harder to pick up small tumors on screening mammograms. While ultrasounds have historically been used as an additional test to provide a more complete picture of dense breasts, I suggest asking your doctor about a newer option: the abbreviated MRI, or fast MRI.

The test takes under 10 minutes and uses an injection of contrast dye, given via an IV, to provide a clearer image. A recent study found that fast MRI detects 240% more breast cancers in women with dense breasts than 3D mammograms alone, and it leads to fewer false positives and unnecessary biopsies than ultrasounds. And just like ultrasound, it’s recommended that you stagger the fast MRI and mammogram six months apart.

You’ll likely pay out of pocket for a fast MRI—something you’re probably already doing for your ultrasounds. However, some states (Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut) require insurers to cover supplemental screenings for women with dense breasts, so check with your provider first.

Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) can affect the genital area, especially as estrogen levels drop with menopause and alter your body’s ability to regulate temperature. But I advise against using an antiperspirant in this area: It can disrupt pH balance, which can cause a bacterial or yeast infection.

Pubic hair is important to vaginal health—it traps dirt, sweat and bacteria that can lead to infection— but too much of it can trap heat, triggering excessive sweating. To help, consider trimming this hair with blunted scissors. You may also get relief by swapping leggings for shorts made of a breathable fabric and wearing cotton underwear. But if these strategies don’t help, there are other options to stop excess sweating, including Botox injections, which block the nerves that stimulate sweat glands.