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Mammogram Q&A
When should I get a mammogram?
The American Cancer Society recommends that all women age 40 and older have a screening mammogram every year.
- However if you're age 26 to 39 and at high risk of breast cancer, you may benefit by beginning screening mammograms. Talk to your doctor for an individualized program. Your doctor may also recommend magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with mammography based on your risk factors and your degree of breast density.
If you're age 20 to 39 and at average risk of breast cancer, you don't need screening mammograms yet. However, monthly, self-breast exams are recommended as well as a yearly breast exam by your doctor.
How do I know if I am at high risk for breast cancer?
* Women at high risk include those who:
- Have a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
- Have a first-degree relative (mother, father, brother, sister, or child) with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, and have not had genetic testing themselves or have a primary relative with breast cancer
- Have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of 20%-25% or greater, according to risk assessment tools that are based mainly on family history(primary relative with breast cancer)
- Had radiation therapy to the chest when they were between the ages of 10 and 30 years
- Have a genetic disease such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, or have one of these syndromes in first-degree relatives
** Women at moderately increased risk include those who:
- Have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of 15%-20%, according to risk assessment tools that are based mainly on family history
- Have a personal history of breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), or atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH)
- Have extremely dense breasts or unevenly dense breasts when viewed by mammograms
Why is a mammogram so important?
Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of death from cancer among women in the United States, following lung cancer.
However, great strides in early detection and improved treatment have decreased breast cancer deaths. Mammography plays a key role in early detection. Through mammography, your doctor can detect breast cancer nearly one to three years before you might actually feel a lump in your breast.
Mammography is X-ray imaging of your breasts designed to detect tumors and other abnormalities. Mammography can be used either for screening or for diagnostic purposes in evaluating a breast lump.
Mammography Options:
Clarian Arnett Imaging Center offers several mammography options including traditional mammography, digital mammography and Breast MR.
Traditional mammography is a two-dimensional, black and white X-ray of the breast – just about the same type of X-ray as you would get on an arm or leg. Traditional mammogram can be difficult to read and a patient may need to return several times for additional films. Although this is not the newest technology, it does provide a significant amount of information and is appropriate for some patients.
Digital mammography gives women the greatest advantage in breast cancer detection. Better than traditional mammography, digital mammography captures images by computer. Computer images give a more accurate picture of what the breast actually looks like.
There are several reasons why women should choose digital mammography:
- This newer technology allows for faster results.
- Digital mammograms take a shorter amount of time to capture an accurate image than with traditional mammography.
- The technology behind digital mammography allows us to magnify and change the view of the image, allowing for a more complete evaluation.
- The digital mammogram causes less physical discomfort.
- Digital imaging also uses the latest in computer software to identify specific areas of concern. This in essence provides a double reading of the mammogram, which increases the accuracy.
Breast MR is one of our newest tools in the fight against breast cancer. A breast MR (Magnetic Resonance) is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnets and radio waves to produce a picture of the inside of the body. Breast MR is a complement to a diagnostic mammogram but does not replace a screening mammogram. This test is not painful, and there is no harmful radiation involved. Breast MR is useful in imaging breast implants, staging breast cancer, for early detection of cancer for women at high risk with dense breast tissue, and in viewing breast abnormalities that can be felt, but are not visible with conventional mammography.
To schedule a mammogram, call 765.446.4350.
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