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What is a Mammogram? A mammogram is the best tool available today to assist you and your health care team in diagnosing breast cancer in its earliest stages.
- a mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast.
- it is different from a chest x-ray or x-rays of other parts of the body.
- a screening mammogram is for women with no symptoms of breast cancer.
- a diagnostic mammogram is for women with symptoms, implants, or lumpy breasts.
- a mammogram can find breast cancer that is too small to feel, and may show tumors before they cause symptoms or can be felt.
 | Mammography uses very low levels of radiation. It usually involves taking two x-rays of each breast, one taken from the side and one from the top. The breast must be squeezed between two plates for the pictures to be clear. While this squeezing may be a bit uncomfortable, it lasts only a few seconds, and may save your life. |
A mammogram will also show breast calcifications - small calcium deposits in the breast.
- detected only by a mammogram.
Macrocalcifications - coarse calcium deposits.
- represents degenerative changes in the breast.
- usually non cancerous.
- may not require biopsy.
Microcalcifications - tiny specks of calcium deposits.
- found in area of rapidly dividing cells.
- if found in clusters, may indicate a small cancer.
- may be diagnosed by observation, or by biopsy.
Half of cancers detected by mammography appear as a cluster of microcalcifications. - have you had your annual mammogram?
8 Tips For a Good Mammogram - Ask to see the FDA certificate issued to all facilities that meet high professional standards of safety and quality.
- Use a facility that either specializes in mammography or performs many mammograms a day.
- If you are satisfied the facility is of high quality, continue to go there on a regular basis so your mammograms can be compared from year to year.
- If you change facilities, ask for your old mammograms to bring with you to the new facility, so they can be compared to the new ones.
- If you have sensitive breasts, try having your mammogram at a time of month when your breasts will be least tender. Try to avoid the week right before your period. This will help to lessen discomfort.
- Don't wear deodorant, powder, or cream under your armsit may interfere with the quality of the mammogram.
- Bring a list of places, dates of mammograms, biopsies, or other breast treatments you have had before.
- If you do not hear from your physician within 10 days, do not assume that your mammogram was normalconfirm this by calling your physician or the facility.
Source: The American Cancer Society: 8 Tips To A Good Mammogram Ask your doctor if you may take a pain reliever such as Motrin or Advil before your mammogram to reduce the discomfort afterward. Email us at info@abcf.org to request "A Guide to Breast Health Care" |
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