What is a mammogram?

Mammogram is just an X-ray photograph of your breast, and works in principle the same way as your chest X-ray.

The breast tissue is compressed between two plates and an X-ray picture is taken.

Doctors would look at the X-ray and determine if there are any abnormalities in the picture.

Breast cancer usually appears in the form of calcifications, architectural distortions, or abnormal densities.

Since mammogram uses X-rays, there may be slight risk associated with exposure to radiation in women who get mammograms.

However the amount of radiation associated with mammogram examination is very small and is strictly controlled by regulatory agencies like National Department of Health and Human Services.

Very strict regulations are enforced by this agency to make sure that mammography equipment is safe and uses the lowest dose of radiation possible. The dose of radiation used by the modern mammogram machines does not significantly increase the risk of breast cancer.

Digital mammography

Digital mammograms are similar to conventional X-ray film mammograms except that the pictures are produced in the digital media in a computer.

Digital pictures have the advantages of manipulation of light and contrast and hence would be more useful for the studying the mammography picture.

It was claimed in the past that digital mammogram is superior to conventional mammograms in terms of accuracy, however a recent study has shown that digital mammography no better than regular mammography.

Computer Aided Detection (CAD)

CAD is sophisticated computer program that can compare areas of the digital mammography picture and aid the physician to more easily detect breast cancer.

Studies have shown that CAD system improved diagnostic accuracy by about 20 percent.

Clinical breast examination and self breast examination

An article on breast cancer screening will not be complete without mentioning clinical breast examination and (CBE) and self breast examination (SBE).

CBE and SBE are useful adjuvant to mammogram for detection of breast cancer.

It is also to be mentioned that about 10 percent of all tumors that can be felt by the physicians may not be seen in a mammogram, hence if the physician feels a tumor, the absence of abnormality in the mammogram does not ensure absence of a breast tumor. Such patients should be evaluated by biopsy.

Self-breast examination as the name implies denotes examination of breast by women, without the help of a physician.

This can be undertaken in the privacy of their home. Probably the best time to do a self-breast examination is while taking showers.

Women can ask their physicians to teach them the technique of self-breast examination. American Cancer Society recommends "women in 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast examination (CBE) as part of a periodic (regular) health exam by a health professional preferably every 3 years.

After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional every year." Regarding self-breast examination, American Cancer Society gives the following recommendations:

"BSE is an option for women starting in their 20s. Women should be told about the benefits and limitations of BSE.

Women should report any breast changes to their health professional right away."

There are two types of mammograms. One type of mammogram is considered a screening mammogram.

This type of mammogram is able to detect microcalcifications, and lumps that are not palpable.

A second type of mammogram is a diagnostic mammogram. This procedure is prescribed once a lump, or any other symptom has been reported.

Now, to answer the question if all abnormal mammograms are breast cancer. No, an abnormal mammogram does not necessarily mean that breast cancer is present.

A large percentage of abnormal mammograms are due to dense breast tissue, cysts, or benign growths.

Mammograms are contraindicated for younger women due to younger women having denser breasts.

Mammograms of dense breast tissue have resulted in false positive diagnoses.

Mammograms are recommended once a year once a woman reaches the age of 40. For women under the age of 40 mammograms typically are not sought out or prescribed, unless a lump is discovered, or there are any suspicious changes notice.

If have discharge from a nipple, or if you have noticed dimpling or an indentation in the breast, I would strongly suggest you seek a medical direction.

Although the palpitation of a lump or discovering a change in the breast tissue are just causes for getting a mammogram, these changes may prove to be something other than breast cancer.

Lumps, or masses can indicate a number of conditions. Findings may conclude that the lump is a cyst, which is benign fluid filled sac.

It is not uncommon for women who are perimenopausal to discovers cysts. Lumps can also be fibroadenomas.

Fibroadenomas are benign growths that are usually solid. Another finding has been that of fibrocystic breasts.

These changes have accounted for many detected lumps between the ages of 30 and 50, and are characterized by tenderness, pain, and lumpiness. Fbrocystic breasts have been desscribed as "nodular", and" glandular."

Once the mammogram has been performed, it is followed up by a biopsy or ultrasound. These procedures will determine if the mass, or suspicious area is malignant or not.

A biopsy is the removal of a portion of the lump usually via a needle.

An ultrasound is a non-invasive, diagnostic procedure that uses sound sound waves to produce images of of the body. These procedures are the determinants of any abnormality.

Breast cancer screening

Unlike lung cancer, breast cancer can be screened using available techniques with beneficial results. Mammogram is the only accepted screening test for breast cancer.

Mammogram till this date may have saved lives of thousands of women, by detecting the disease at a very early stage, when it is mostly curable.

Screening for mammogram does not prevent the occurrence of breast cancer, but instead it provides a very simple and useful technique to detect breast cancer at a very early stage.

Mammogram is capable of detecting breast cancer at a stage prior to infiltration of the tumor to the surrounding structures, called stage 0 breast cancer or carcinoma in situ.

Recommendations for breast cancer screening vary from country to country and within the same country according to the views of different organizations who recommend the screening.

American Cancer Society recommends that "women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health."

List of most important things that women should know about getting a mammogram.

This is the most important thing: have a yearly mammogram if you are over 40 years old or have a family history of breast cancer.

Go to an X-ray facility that regularly performs mammograms (at least 3-5 per day).

This ensures that they have adequate experience in regularly dealing with mammograms. Ask to see their FDA certificate - this shows if they have met high quality professional standards.

Go to the same facility each year, if you are happy with the quality they provide.

This way it is much more likely that the same people will look at your mammograms each year, and this makes comparing x-rays from prior years much more easy.

If you go to a new facility, take copies of your old mammograms to the new place so they can easily compare the x-rays.

Medicare, Medicaid and most health insurance plans usually cover the costs of a mammogram up to a certain percentage. Low-cost mammograms are made available in some areas by the American Cancer Society.

Every mammogram facility must send your results to you within 30 days. If they find a problem they are to notify you within 5 days. Call your physician or the x-ray facility if you don't get your results within these time frames.

Less than 1% of mammograms will lead to cancer (only 2 to 4 out of 1000). 10% of all women may require a second mammogram - and only 8-10% of these women will need a biopsy. 80% of those biopsies will not be cancer.

You will have to undress down to your waist, but a wrap or gown should be provided for you.

Things that may interfere with a good mammogram are: deodorant, powders or creams under the arms. Avoid these things before a mammogram if you can.

Most mammogram x-ray technologists are women. The technologist will be the only one present during most of your mammogram.

Most mammograms take about 20 minutes to perform, including 2 views of each breast.

There may be discomfort during the breast compression x-ray. Try not to schedule a mammogram during the week of your period. Let the technologist know immediately if there is pain during the procedure.