Breast Cancer and Mammography
Breast Cancer & Mammography
According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. One out of eight American women develop breast cancer. That’s why it’s so important to examine your breasts monthly for the early signs for breast cancer. Your doctor can teach you how.
As you examine your breasts, you will become familiar with what is normal for you. You will become able to recognize changes in your breasts more easily. Your doctor may also recommend you have a mammogram, which is a low-dose x-ray capable of detecting lumps before they can even be seen or felt.
What Am I Looking For?
When you perform your monthly self-exam, the key word is “change.” If you notice any changes from one month to the next, call your doctor immediately.
Besides lumps, things you should look for include:
changes in the nipple.
bleeding or other discharge from the nipple.
puckering in the skin of the breast.
an unusual rash in the nipple.
What happens if I find a lump?
Don’t assume the worst. Most lumps are benign. Only about 20 percent of breast lumps are malignant (cancerous). However, do not ignore any lump or change in the breast. Ignoring warning signs removes your best defense—early discovery! If a lump is malignant, early discovery and treatment are the best chance for a cure.
What happens during a mammogram?
A mammogram is a low dose x-ray that takes a picture of the inside of your breast. The exam usually takes about 20 minutes.
The test is not painful, but some women feel minor discomfort. You will want to schedule your mammogram at least seven days after your last period, and two weeks before your next period. This is when your breasts are least tender. On the day of your mammogram, don’t use deodorant, perfume, or powder.
If a suspicious area is seen on a mammogram, a biopsy may be performed to make a diagnosis. If cancer is detected, it will probably require some form of surgery. This could either be a lumpectomy, which is the removal of the tumor, or a mastectomy, which is the complete removal of the breast. There may also be some follow-up therapy such as radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.
How often should I have a mammogram?
The American Cancer Society has established guidelines for mammograms. You should have your first mammogram when you are between 35 and 39 years old. This is your “baseline” mammogram.
The baseline mammogram will establish what is normal for you. All of the mammograms that you have performed in the coming years will be compared with it. Between the ages of 40 and 49, you should have a mammogram every one or two years. After 50, you should have a mammogram every year.
Besides women over 50, women who should have a mammogram once a year include:
- women who have never had children.
- women who had their first child after 30.
- women who have a close relative who has had breast cancer.
Usually, a mammogram will catch changes in the breast long before you can see or feel a lump. Tiny micro-calcifications can be detected in a mammogram before they even begin to form into a lump.
Remember, the best weapon in the fight against breast cancer is early detection!
For more information about these and other women’s health issues, call UT Medical Group at 901-866-UTMG (8864)
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