8 Things You Must Know About Mammograms

Breast cancer is a malignant disease characterized by the out-of-control growth of breast cells. The breast is composed of fatty tissue, fibrous tissue, and glandular tissue, which comprises three parts - the glands that produce milk, the ducts that transport milk to the nipple, and the connective tissue that consists of fibrous and fatty tissue that connects everything together. Men are also affected by breast cancer. Read this article about how to overcome stigma about breast cancer male patients. In a mammogram, physicians are able to analyze the density of breast tissue, which means the amount of each type of tissue. A woman is considered to have dense breast tissue when there is high amounts of glandular and fibrous tissue, and low fatty tissue. However, there are some things about mammograms which are not regularly discussed. Here's a list we've put together of eight important things you must know about mammograms (source: BreastCancer.org): 1. Mammograms can be life savers: Detecting breast cancer at an early stage can reduce your risk of death by up to 30% or more. Having a mammogram is the most reliable way to find out if you may or may not have cancer. 2. Choose the best type of mammogram for you: If you have big breasts or are under the age of 50, try to get a digital mammogram. This type of mammography is recorded directly onto a computer in order to doctors be able to enlarge some parts of the exam and look at them more closely. 3. Always bring your past mammogram results to your mammography: It's really important if you've ever had a mammogram exam before that you bring your past results. Likewise, if you are visiting a new examination facility for the first time, you should also bring your past exams. If it's not the first time you visit the facility, make sure your past results are logged in their system so your doctor can have access to your previous exams. 4. Find out if your facility has computer-aided detection (CAD): Knowing the center facilities where you are having your exam is extremely important. Different centers have different types of tools available. Ask your center if they have CAD available, which is a tool that helps the radiology expert find any sections of concern that may need further attention. 5. Don’t wear deodorant or antiperspirant before you head to your mammogram: Because applying deodorant in a place near to the breasts could lead to it up showing up on the exam and changing the test results or making them unclear. 6. A mammography is the best way to detect breast cancer: However, mammograms can still miss 20% of breast cancers that are simply not visible using this technique. Other important tools — such as breast self-exam, clinical breast examination, and possibly ultrasound or MRI — can and should be used as complementary tools, but there are no substitutes or replacements for a mammogram. 7. Women should get a mammogram once a year beginning at age 40.If you're high-risk for breast cancer, have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or have had radiation treatment to the chest in the past, it's recommended that you start having annual mammograms at a younger age (often beginning around age 30). Discuss your personalized screening plan with your healthcare provider. 8. An unusual result which requires some more tests doesn't mean you have breast cancer: About 1 in 10 women who have a mammogram will require more tests. Only 8-10% of these women will need a biopsy and about 80% of these biopsies will turn out not to be cancer. Read more about clinical trials for breast cancer and how you can benefit from them here. Breast Cancer News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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