There is no doubt that mammograms are necessary to detect breast cancer and non cancerous breast diseases. Early detection can save life.
Most experts recommend annual mammograms for women 50 and over. There is still some disagreement about how often women in their forties should get tested. The Cancer Society recommends an annual mammogram. However, women who are at higher risk of breast cancer — from a family or personal history of the disease, for instance, or from carrying a “breast cancer gene” — should seek medical advice about whether to begin screening before the age 40. There’s evidence that most of the cancers detected by annual mammograms in these women are in the early stages. This is no small matter, considering that tumours may grow faster in premenopausal women.
Mammography is a low-dose X-ray that screens for breast cancer and non-cancerous breast disease. Though the test is not error-free, it is considered the most effective screening method for breast cancer because it has much greater sensitivity for detecting cancer than either clinical or self breast exams. Studies show it reduces deaths from breast cancer by at least 30 percent in women aged 50 and older.
On the day of your mammogram, don’t wear any powder, cream, or deodorant on your upper body, as it can interfere with the X-rays. You will take off clothes and jewellery from the waist up. Your breasts will be pressed between glass plates and X-rays will be taken. The procedure takes from 15 to 30 minutes and can be done in a doctor’s office, a hospital, or an X-ray lab. The process can be uncomfortable, especially if your breasts are tender, so it’s best not to schedule the test the week before your period. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever an hour before the exam can help.
Your X-rays will be studied for any abnormalities. Fatty tissues show up black on the film; glands, connective tissue, and tumours appear white. In women with dense breasts (about 40 percent of women) or those who have had prior breast surgery, it can be hard to distinguish abnormalities.
Abnormal results can be signs of malignant tumours or benign cysts. Positive results are generally verified by biopsy.
