What is a mammogram? When should I get a mammogram?

Breast cancer is a disease affecting approximately 2,300 men and 230,000 women annually in the United States.1 While most women are familiar with the term "mammogram," they may not be aware of what it is, why it is used and when it should be done. About Eulexin (Flutamide) A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray exam used by health care providers to evaluate for abnormalities in the breast not felt by a clinical breast exam, or to evaluate abnormal breast findings.2 Contents of this article: What is a mammogram? What do mammograms show? Benefits and risks of mammograms Mammogram recommendations: when should I get a mammogram? You will also see introductions at the end of some sections to any recent developments that have been covered by MNT s news stories. Precose (Acarbose) with free prescription Also look out for links to information about related conditions. Fast facts on mammograms Here are some key points about mammograms. Remeron (Mirtazapine) without Rx More detail and supporting information is in the main article. Every year over 200,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Mammograms can help find breast cancer early, when treatments are more likely to be successful. After increasing for many years, the percentage of women getting mammograms has leveled off over the past decade. Around 203,400 breast cancer deaths have been averted since 1991. Breast cancer death rate: down 34% between 1990 and 2010. Around 66.8% of women in the US 40 years of age and over have had a mammogram within the past 2 years. Of insured women, 29% are not getting their mammograms and of uninsured women, 68% are not getting their mammograms. Results from randomized clinical trials show that screening mammography can help reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer among women ages 40 to 74, especially for those over age 50. False-positive results occur when radiologists decide mammograms are abnormal but no cancer is actually present. Getting a high-quality screening mammogram and having a clinical breast exam on a regular basis are the most effective ways to detect breast cancer early. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors for breast cancer and the screening plan that is best for you. What is a mammogram? Mammograms can be used for two reasons - to screen for or diagnose a breast abnormality, and are used in women with and without symptoms.1-3 A mammogram can help a health professional decide whether a lump in the breast is a gland, a harmless cyst, or a tumor. When used for screening purposes, mammograms are utilized by health care providers to evaluate women who do not display symptoms or abnormal findings with the goal of detecting cancer prior to the onset of clinical symptoms.1-3 These mammograms may also locate calcium deposits referred to as microcalcifications, which may be related to breast cancer.1,2 Diagnostic mammograms on the other hand, are used to evaluate abnormal findings such as a lump, pain, skin changes, nipple thickening, nipple discharge, change in breast size or change in size of an existing lump.1-3 Diagnostic mammograms are also used to further evaluate abnormal screening mammogram findings or when a screening mammogram cannot adequately view the breast tissue, for example, when breast implants are present.1 What do mammograms show? The goal of a mammogram is to find cancer, however, other findings may be discovered during the test. Anten without Rx Some possible mammogram findings include:2,3 A mammography technician is trained to operate radiologic equipment used to examine breasts for cancer and other abnormalities. Lumps or masses The radiologist will evaluate the shape and contour of these findings to determine a suspicion for cancer versus a benign mass. About Sinemet (Carbidopa + Levodopa) with free prescription Benign masses generally appear smooth and round with a clearly defined border whereas cancerous masses appear more irregular with a jagged border. Buy Chamomile Tea online Calcifications A calcification (seen as white spots on a mammogram) is a calcium deposit often caused by cell secretions, cell debris, inflammation and trauma. http://futurepharmaceuticals.wordpress.com There are two types of calcification - macrocalcifications and microcalcifications: Macrocalcification: these calcium deposits are large, often due to normal aging and are usually not cancerous Microcalcifications: very small deposits of calcium, which may be associated with cancer; they are generally found in areas where there are rapidly dividing cells. Distorted tissue, dense tissue or new breast densities Dense areas represent areas of the breast tissue that have more glands than fat. Masses and calcifications in these areas are challenging to identify; areas such as this may at times be representative of cancer, with distorted areas being possible spread to other surrounding tissue. On the next page we look at the benefits and risks of mammograms and when you should get a mammogram. 1 2 NEXT ▶