Mammogram

The facts you need to know about mammograms.

The risk of breast cancer increases with age, so it's unfortunate that older women are less likely to have mammograms. In one survey, more than 50% of women between ages 75 and 85 had never had one. If you're frightened by the radiation exposure during a mammogram, consider this: A woman getting a single dose of radiation for treatment of breast cancer receives several thousand rads (units of energy from radiation). A woman getting a mammogram every year between ages 40 and 90 receives only 10 rads total.

Who needs it The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms for women age 40 and older, but some doctors believe that every other year is sufficient for women between ages 40 and 50.

How it's done A female technician places your breast between two metal plates on the X-ray machine. She compresses the breast for a few seconds and takes an X ray from above and one from the side. The compression feels uncomfortable and your breasts might ache for a few minutes. Some doctors now use digital mammograms, which provide a clearer image -- one that can be stored electronically and adjusted for over- or underexposure. Another new tool is a specialized magnetic resonance imaging test called a Rodeo MRI. When used in conjunction with mammograms, this MRI can detect tumors in women with dense (thick) breasts or in those who have breast implants.

What the results mean Any masses or white spots that suggest cancer may require a biopsy. (Your doctor will refer you to a specialist who will remove a small piece of breast tissue for testing.) Under new federal regulations, abnormal results must be mailed to women within 5 working days. Otherwise, it may take up to 30 days to receive the results.

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From Looking After Your Body

 

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• Breast Self-Exam
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• Breast Self-Exams: Are They Beneficial?
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• Diagnosing Breast Cancer
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• Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Mammography
• A list of questions that you can ask your doctor before getting a mammogram
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• The Test That Could Save Your Life
• Frequently asked questions about mammography.
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