Why Women Should Get Mammograms

Are you at risk for breast cancer? Simply being a woman and getting older puts you at some risk for breast cancer. Most breast cancers occur after age 40.

Several known factors can increase your risk for breast cancer. However, most women who get breast cancer have no known risk factors, such as a family history of the disease.

Here are some steps you can do to help prevent breast cancer:

• Get a mammogram on a regular basis (every 1-2 years) if you are in your 40s and every year starting at age 50.
• Talk with your doctor about planning your personal schedule for screening mammograms and breast exams.
• Gather as much information as you can about your family history of cancer and breast cancer.
• Call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service for more information about breast cancer and mammograms at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).

Mammography is a simple procedure. It uses a special x-ray machine specially designed for x-raying the breast. The standard screening exam includes two views of each breast, one from above and one angled from the side.

A registered technologist places the breast between two flat plastic plates. The two plates are then pressed together. The idea is to flatten the breast as much as possible. Spreading the tissue out makes any abnormal details easier to spot with a minimum of radiation.

The pressure from the plates may be uncomfortable, or somewhat painful. It helps to remember that each x-ray takes less than one minute-- and it could save your life. It helps to schedule mammography just after a menstruation period, when your breasts are least likely to be tender, or at the same time each year, if you no longer menstruate.

The doses of radiation used for mammography are very low and are considered safe. The exact amount of radiation needed for a specific mammogram depends on several factors. Breasts that are large or dense require higher doses to get a clear image.

A mammogram is first checked by the technologist and then read by a diagnostic radiologist. The radiologist looks for unusual shadows, masses, distortions, special patterns of tissue density and differences between the two breasts. The shape of a mass can be important too. A growth that is benign, such as a cyst, looks smooth and rounded and has a clearly defined edge. Breast cancer, in contrast, often has an irregular outline with finger-like extensions.

Many mammograms show nontransparent white specks. These are calcium deposits known as calcifications. Macrocalcifications are coarse calcium deposits and are often seen in both breasts. They are most likely due to aging, old injuries or inflammations. Microcalcifications are tiny flecks of calcium found in an area of rapidly dividing cells. Clusters of numerous micro- calcifications in one area can be a sign of ductal carcinoma. About half of the cancers found by a mammography are detected as clusters of microcalcifications.

Mammograms are an important part of a woman's health history. Being able to compare earlier mammograms with new ones helps doctors evaluate areas that look suspicious.

What are the benefits and limitations of mammograms? A mammogram is the best method available to detect breast cancer early. However, because a mammogram may miss a cancer that is present, monthly breast self-exam and annual clinicl breast exams are critical. A mammogram can find breast cancer before a lump can be felt but it also may find something that turns out not to be cancer. It is always essential to follow-up with a healthcare provider whenever a mammogram shows an irregularity. If it's cancer there are new treatments and resources for emotional and financial support. If it turns out not to be cancer, you can celebrate.