Elizabeth Wende Breast Care, LLC.

Mammography

mammogram

What is mammography?
X-rays are passed through the breast to obtain two pictures of the tissue in each breast. Special x-ray equipment that has a plastic device to compress the breast is necessary for mammography. To obtain a good picture the breast needs to be compressed firmly in order to keep it from moving, and in order to spread the glandular tissue apart so a cancer can be seen more easily if it is present. Don't be concerned if the radiologist performs additional views. Occasionally this is necessary for technical reasons or to view a particular area better. Sometimes, a patient may come to us for a second opinion after having a mammogram that was performed elsewhere and showed an abnormality. In those instances, it may be necessary to take some additional mammography pictures. For a look at how a mammogram is performed, visit our Video Library.

Whenever you have a mammogram, note where and when it was done; wherever you go for your mammogram, be sure to let the facility know about past mammograms so they can be obtained to compare with your current exam. The appearance, location and amount of each woman's breast tissue are as unique as her fingerprints; no two women are alike. In this way, each area of the breast can be compared and better evaluated. It's easier for the radiologist to tell if a new tumor is present on the mammogram if you have had prior mammograms to compare with the present one.

Are there any other tests to detect breast cancer?
Yes, there are other tests used to detect breast cancer. Mammography is considered the gold standard, but other tests are often used as an adjunct to mammography in diagnostic situations or for high-risk patients. These include ultrasonography needle biopsies, and breast MRI. Many other tests and technologies are currently being investigated to see if they may be helpful.

Why aren't young women supposed to have mammograms?
Because radiation is involved in mammography, it's best not to perform mammography on young women unless there is good reason. Fortunately, recent medical advances now allow us to perform mammograms at a very low x-ray dose. The x-ray dose for a mammogram is now so low that it is less than the small amount of stray radiation that our breasts receive each year from the ground and sky. The American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.

Aren't I supposed to be getting a mammogram only if I am in a high risk category?
The single most important risk factor is womanhood! Women are 100 times more likely to develop breast cancer than men; therefore you're in a high risk category just because you are a woman. Also, the older you are, the more likely you are to have breast cancer-the risk keeps going up as you age. Other risk factors are: 1) a positive family history of a mother, sister or daughter with breast cancer; and 2) dense breast glandular tissue (which can't be determined until your first mammogram has been performed). Having dense glandular tissue means that it may be more difficult for the doctor to read your mammogram.

There are also less important risk factors, such as a history of never having been pregnant, giving birth to your first child after age thirty, and not breast feeding. But, there is no known way to predict who will get breast cancer. For example, in our office, most women who have breast cancer do not have any positive family history, so we can't just do mammograms on women with a positive family history, or we would miss 2/3 of the cancers. This is why your doctor may order a mammogram. Breast cancer can happen to anybody-even men!

Does mammography find all breast cancers present?
Unfortunately, no. Doctors have no single 100% effective method for detecting breast cancer. Many cancers are too small or soft to be felt, but can be seen on a mammogram. That's why screening mammograms are so important. However, not all cancers behave in the same way. Some types of cancers can be felt more easily than they can be seen on the mammogram. Therefore, the best way to detect breast cancer is by combining breast self-examination, your doctor's breast examination, and the mammogram-all together.

If you discover a breast lump, it is important to let the radiologist know about it when you have your mammogram. The doctor needs this information in order to decide if other studies need to be done along with the mammogram, such as special views of the lump or an ultrasound.

If you discover a breast lump, and a mammogram is performed, and you're told that the mammogram is normal, this doesn't mean that you or your doctor should forget the breast lump. If it continues to enlarge, you must contact your doctor again and notify him of this. If you have a normal screening mammogram, and then develop a new lump, you should have it checked by your doctor.

Mammograms do not detect ALL cancers. One out of every eight women develops breast cancer. Since it's such a common disease, we need to use all methods we possibly can to find it.

This page is intended as an educational resource only. It is not a substitute for professional care. Please see your physician if you have any concerns about your own health.

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