The Importance of Getting a Mammogram

A Yearly Mammogram - the best gift you can give yourself!

We all know that it is easy to put off

getting a mammogram

, as there are probably many things that get in the way, or time gets past us and before we know it, a year has passed. However, there are not many things more important for your health and well-being than taking the time to

get your mammogram.

Early detection

provides the best opportunity for beating breast cancer.

Mammograms don't prevent breast cancer, but they can save lives by finding breast cancer as early as possible. It used to be that 50 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer died of their disease, but now less than 15 percent of women diagnosed die from it. 80% of that change is due to mammography and

early detection

, 20% is due to improved chemotherapy. If diagnosed early, then the majority of women will not need chemotherapy.

But, we are also seeing a very concerning trend that has serious consequences. Statistics are showing that fewer women are getting mammograms each year, a steady decrease since 2003. There are many reasons sited for this decline; anxiety about the results, discomfort sometimes felt during the exam, cost issues, or frankly not taking the time to get to the doctor. However - the risk has not gone away.

Give yourself an important gift by getting a yearly mammogram. At Arizona Breastnet, we provide the newest technology in the breast health arena through digital

mammography

(click here to learn more) and our patients receive immediate results at the time of their appointment.

Remember these important points:

• Mammograms

  save lives.
• Finding breast cancer early provides the best opportunity to beat it.
• Don't be afraid of the procedure.
• It takes only 10 minutes and for most women, is painless.
• Get a mammogram yearly.
• Don't skip a year as you don't want to "skip" the chances of

  early detection.

• Be knowledgeable about where you are going. At Arizona Breastnet, we:
• Have experienced mammography technologists who take pride in their work and love what they do
• Have experienced radiologists specializing in mammography for over 15 years
• Provide immediate results so you don't have to worry and wait
• Provide immediate follow-up should a concern or problem be found
• Schedule you within 24 hours if you discover a breast lump or have a concern
• Ask that you bring your previous mammogram films with you if it is your first time at Breastnet
• Provide CAD - computer aided detection - which is second review of your films

The Complete Picture:

As important as yearly mammograms are to your breast health, the most powerful breast cancer detection program also includes

Breast Self-Exams and Clinical Breast Examination.

If you have not had a breast exam by your physician within 6 months of your mammogram appointment, we can perform a Clinical Breast Examination at the time of your mammography.

Recommendations from the American Cancer Society

for Early Breast Cancer Detection

• Women age 40 and older should have a screening

  mammogram

   every year.


• Between the ages of 20 and 39, women should have a

  clinical breast examination (CBE) by a health professional every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a

  breast exam

   by a health care professional every year. The CBE should be conducted close to and preferably before the scheduled

  mammogram

  .

• Beginning in their 20s, women should be told about the benefits and limitations of a

  breast self-exam (BSE)

  . Women should be aware of how their breasts normally feel and report any new breast change to a health professional as soon as they are found.

• If a change occurs, such as development of a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple retraction (turning inward), redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk, you should see your health care provider as soon as possible for evaluation. However, remember that most of the time, these breast changes are not cancer.

Although there are some features of a mass that suggest whether it is likely to be benign or cancerous, women examining their own breasts should discuss any new lump with their health care professionals. Experienced health care professionals can examine the breast and determine whether the changes you have noticed are probably benign or whether there is a possibility they may be due to a breast cancer. They can determine when additional tests are appropriate to rule out a cancer and when follow-up exams are the best strategy. If there is any suspicion of cancer, a biopsy will be done.

Without question,

breast physical examination without mammography

would miss the opportunity to detect many breast cancers that are too small for a woman or her doctor to feel but can be seen on

mammograms

. Although

mammography

is the most sensitive screening method presently available, a small percentage of breast cancers do not show up on

mammograms

but can be felt by a woman or her doctors.