We celebrate October as being Breast Cancer awareness month. Let’s talk about a procedure that can aid in early detection of Breast Cancer that can save a life. This procedure is known as a Mammogram.
A mammogram is defined as an x-ray picture of the breast. This is used to check for breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms of the disease. Additionally, it can also be used if individuals have a lump or other possible indication of breast cancer. Many women begin mammograms at age forty (40), and have them every one to two years afterwards.
The National Cancer Institute states that there are two basic types of Mammograms:
The Screening Mammogram, and
The Diagnostic Mammogram
A Screening mammogram is an x-ray examination of the breasts in a woman who is asymptomatic (has no complaints or symptoms of breast cancer). X-ray pictures of each breast are taken, typically from 2 different angles. The goal of a screening mammogram is to detect cancer when it is still too small to be felt by a woman or her physician. Early detection of small breast cancers by screening mammograms greatly improves a woman's chances for successful treatment.
The next exam is known as a Diagnostic mammogram. This is an x-ray examination of the breast in a woman who is either experiencing changes with her breast(s), for example, perhaps there is discharge, or had an abnormality found during a screening mammogram.
In conclusion, a point to note is that an abnormal mammogram does not always mean that Cancer is present. However, there will be the need to have additional mammograms, tests, or exams done before the doctor can make a definitive diagnosis. Mammograms are also recommended for younger women who display symptoms of breast cancer or are otherwise at a higher risk of the illness.
Contributed by Vice President Shauna McLeod
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