Mammograms
What is
mammography?
When should women start getting mammograms and how
often? (or, How often should women go for a mammogram?)
How can a woman prepare for mammography?
How do I know if I’m going to a "good" mammography
facility?
I don’t have a lot of money to spend on these tests.
Are they expensive? Is there a way I can get mammograms at a reduced cost?
Also
See:
Breast Cancer
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What is mammography?
Mammography is the
process of taking an x-ray picture of the breast; a mammogram is the x-ray
film image itself. Usually, two views of each breast are taken, one from
the side and one from above. This way, the physician can identify
abnormalities such as very small lumps, areas of calcification, or other
changes that occur before they can be felt by a woman or her physician.
There are two types
of mammograms: screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms. Screening
mammograms are breast x-rays for women who have no symptoms of breast
cancer. Diagnostic mammograms may be necessary for a woman who has
symptoms of a breast problem or a breast lump.
When should
women start getting mammograms and how often? (or, How often should women
go for a mammogram?)
Both the National
Cancer Advisory Board and the National Cancer Institute recommend that
women over forty get screening mammograms every one to two years, if they
are at average risk for breast cancer. Women with higher risk for breast
cancer should discuss with their physicians to determine at what age and
how often they should seek mammograms. The agencies caution that women in
their forties have a 30 percent chance of having a "false-positive"
mammogram; at the same time, because younger women have denser breasts,
they also have a 1 in 4 chance of a missed tumor detection with current
mammogram technology.
How can a
woman prepare for mammography?
First, you should
check with the office where you’ll be having the mammogram for any
specific instructions. In general, preparation involves the following:
-
You shouldn’t wear
any deodorant, perfume, powders, or ointments of any sort in the
underarm area or on the breast on the day of the exam. These products
may cause shadows to appear on the mammogram.
-
You should wear a
blouse with a skirt or slacks, rather than a dress, to the mammography
facility. You will have to undress above the waist for the exam.
-
If possible, you
should schedule a mammogram 1 week after your menstrual period, since
your breasts may be less tender than just prior to or during your
menstrual period. The exam should not be painful although the
compression of the breast during the exam may cause some discomfort.
How do I
know if I’m going to a "good" mammography facility?
Until just a few
years ago, a woman could go to a mammography facility and not know if the
machine was 20 years old or whether the individual who positioned her for
the test or interpreted the x-ray findings was well trained. Today, as a
result of implementation of the Mammography Quality Standards Act by the
Food and Drug Administration, the nation’s mammography facilities must
meet high standards for technical quality, safety, and staff training, or
fail to be certified by the FDA under this law. Facilities that are
not FDA certified -- with a prominently displayed seal of approval -- are
operating illegally. To help you find the certified facility closest to
you, a full listing of FDA-certified facilities is available by calling
1-800-4-CANCER, or by checking the
FDA’s web-site.
I
don’t have a lot of money to spend on these tests. Are they expensive? Is
there a way I can get mammograms at a reduced cost?
Yes, income is no
barrier to getting mammograms. Working with the departments of health in
each state in the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
has implemented the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Screening Program,
which provides mammograms and Pap smears (for cervical cancer detection)
at low to no cost to women in financial need. Contact your state
department of health in your state capital or your county health
department (found in the blue pages of your phone book) for additional
information about this important program.
from
The Office On Women's Health - US Department of Health and Human Services
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