On National Mammography Day, Elizabeth Wende Breast Care (EWBC) joins the nation in recognizing the importance of breast health, breast cancer screening, and early detection.
Observed on the third Friday of October, National Mammography Day is an important reminder to prioritize your breast health, understand your individual risk factors, and stay on track with your recommended screening plan.
Why Are Mammograms Important?
Mammograms are the best primary screening tool for finding breast cancer early and can help save lives.
- Mammograms can detect breast cancer before symptoms appear. Finding breast cancer at an earlier stage can provide more treatment options and improve outcomes.
- Mammograms provide important information about your breast health, including breast density. Understanding your breast density, family history, and other risk factors can help determine whether additional screening may be appropriate.
- Regular mammograms help you stay proactive about your breast health. Following your recommended screening schedule allows your breast care team to look for changes over time.
- Early detection may mean less extensive treatment. When breast cancer is found at an earlier stage, patients may have more treatment options available to them.
What Is 3D Mammography?
Elizabeth Wende Breast Care’s seven offices offer Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT), often called 3D mammography.
DBT captures multiple images of the breast from different angles, providing a detailed view of breast tissue and helping radiologists detect breast cancer.
What Is Contrast-Enhanced Mammography?
Contrast-Enhanced Mammography (CEM) is an advanced breast imaging exam that combines mammography with an iodine-based contrast agent to provide additional information about areas of concern in the breast.
The contrast agent helps highlight areas of increased blood flow that may not be as visible on a standard mammogram alone. CEM may be recommended in certain situations, such as further evaluating an area of concern or providing additional breast imaging for some patients based on their individual needs and risk factors.
Every patient is different. Your healthcare provider and breast imaging team can help determine whether 3D mammography, CEM, or another breast imaging option is appropriate for you. Recommendations may be based on factors such as your:
- Personal health history
- Family history of breast cancer
- Breast density
- Previous breast imaging results
- Overall breast cancer risk
A Woman Who Helped Change the Conversation
The history of breast cancer awareness in the United States has been shaped by women who were willing to speak openly about their experiences.
Former First Lady Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1974. At a time when breast cancer was not discussed as openly as it is today, her decision to publicly share her diagnosis and treatment helped bring the disease into the national conversation.
Her openness encouraged women across the country to pay greater attention to their own breast health and helped reduce the stigma surrounding breast cancer. Her advocacy was part of a broader movement that increased awareness of the disease and emphasized the importance of early detection.
Nearly two decades later, on October 15, 1993, President Bill Clinton issued a proclamation recognizing the third Friday of October as National Mammography Day. This official recognition further emphasized the importance of mammography and early breast cancer detection.
National Mammography Day FAQs
When is National Mammography Day?
National Mammography Day is observed on the third Friday of October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Why are mammograms important?
Mammograms can detect breast cancer before symptoms develop, when there may be more treatment options available.
What is 3D mammography?
3D mammography, also known as Digital Breast Tomosynthesis or DBT, captures multiple images of the breast from different angles. This provides the radiologist with a detailed view of the breast tissue.
What is Contrast-Enhanced Mammography?
Contrast-Enhanced Mammography combines mammography with an iodine-based contrast agent to provide additional information about areas of concern in the breast. CEM may be recommended for certain patients based on their individual breast health needs.
How do I know which breast cancer screening is right for me?
Your recommended screening plan may depend on your age, breast density, personal and family health history, previous imaging results, and overall breast cancer risk. Talk with your healthcare provider or breast imaging team about the screening plan that is appropriate for you.
Make Your Breast Health a Priority
National Mammography Day is a reminder that taking care of your breast health should extend far beyond a single day.
Schedule your mammogram, know your personal risk factors, and talk with your healthcare provider about the screening plan that is right for you. Consider reminding the people in your life to make their breast health a priority, too.
At Elizabeth Wende Breast Care, our dedicated team is here to provide compassionate, comprehensive breast care and answer your questions about mammography, Contrast-Enhanced Mammography, and other breast imaging options.
This National Mammography Day, take a moment to prioritize yourself. Early detection matters, and scheduling your mammogram is an important step in taking care of your breast health.
