Mammography

What is Mammography? A screening mammogram is an x-ray of a patient's breasts, with no symptoms or immediate history of breast disease. This includes asymtomatic breast implants.

A diagnostic mammogram is an x-ray of breasts with symptoms, a previous abnormal mammogram, personal history of breast cancer or problems with breast implants. This includes additional views, tailored to the problems that the patient presents.

Approximately half the women who have a mammogram feel some discomfort. This is due to the breast compression, which is necessary in order to obtain a clear picture of your breasts, with the lowest amount of radiation. However, breast compression is not dangerous and does no damage to the breast tissue. In addition, the discomfort is only temporary.

The amount of radiation is minimal and the examination provides much greater benefits than risks. For example, a patient undergoing a mammogram will receive less radiation than she would from a round-trip plane flight across the country.

If you have breast implants, tell the office at the time of scheduling because your mammogram will require more pictures than a mammogram patient without breast implants.

Early Detection Saves Lives

Ninety-six percent of women survive at least five years when breast cancer is found in the early localized stage. No more than an inch or less in size, early tumors may have started as long as eight years before they became large enough to be detected.

While mammography is the most sensitive screening tool available today, it is not 100 percent effective in finding all cancers. Approximately 10 percent cannot be found by mammography. Therefore, you should continue to practice self-examination monthly and have periodic physical examinations of your breasts by your physician.

If you have not seen you physician within the last year, we suggest that you make an appointment because mammography should be accompanied by an examination by your physician.

Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Women older than age 40, especially older than 50.
Personal history of breast cancer (already have had cancer in one breast).
Mother, daughter (s), sister (s) with breast cancer; the risk increases if these relatives had cancer in both breasts before menopause. When several close relatives have developed breast cancer before menopause, the risk may be as high as 50 percent.
Long menstrual history (menstrual periods started early and ended late in life).