Mammograms and Breast Cancer
Just Looking Out for the Girls
The first time my doctor suggested that I get a mammogram, I thought someone else was in the room, because I knew she wasn’t talking to me. At 37 I was way too young for something like that. WRONG! I didn’t know that most doctors recommend that women start having them at age 35, so I was actually two years behind the eight ball.
Another reason for my lack of concern was the fact that I breast fed both of my children, and studies have shown that breast feeding can reduce your chances of getting breast cancer. However, with 40 quickly coming up on the horizon, I realized that it was time to be more proactive with my checkups and overall health in general.
But just what is a mammogram? A mammogram or mammography is the process of using special low dose X-ray images to examine and detect abnormal growth and changes in breast tissue. However, this isn’t your average X-ray exam; a technician (I always end up with a little woman with cold hands) compresses your breast into this strange contraption and takes pictures from several different angles. A diagnostic mammogram may be performed if there are any areas of concern that can’t be resolved with an initial mammogram screening. An ultrasound may be done as well. An ultrasound creates images through sound waves. Some women, especially younger women with thicker breast tissue, automatically get these along with their regular screenings because the density of the breast can obscure cancerous tissues and growths.
If any unusual tissue cannot be determined as benign (non-cancerous) a biopsy may be performed. A biopsy is a procedure where a sample of breast tissue is obtained and sent to a pathologist for further examination. According to the American Cancer Society, only one or two mammograms out of every 1,000 will lead to a diagnosis of cancer. Your risk increases as you get older, so it is important that women over 40 get tested annually. Mammograms along with monthly self examinations are essential for early detection. They can help your provider determine if a lump, growth or a change in your breast requires further examination or testing. Early detection is your best defense in increasing breast cancer survival.
Research for this article was obtained at WebMD, and is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor or health care professional if you have any specific questions or concerns.
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