On National Mammography Day and During Breast Cancer Awareness Month Comprehensive Cancer encourages women to get mammograms.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers supports and appreciates the efforts surrounding National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). The month has led to important progress regarding more women learning about when they need to get screened, following through with screenings, and increased funding for research and treatment of the disease, with its focus on getting women to get mammograms.
With 2023’s National Breast Cancer Awareness arrival in October, Comprehensive and its team of physicians and breast cancer surgeons are committed to empowering women to take charge of their own breast health. This is accomplished by encouraging regular self-breast exams, doctor visits and having annual mammograms as recommended by their healthcare providers.
To get people started, especially those who might have never had a mammogram, here is some basic information about how they work:
What is a Mammogram and How Do They Work?
A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. Physicians, such as those at Comprehensive Cancer, use mammograms to detect early signs of breast cancer. Regular mammograms are the t tests doctors use to find breast cancer early as sometimes it can take up to three years before it can be felt through a self-exam.
If you’re not sure how the process works, the following steps outline the process:
- Determine Need: Be sure that you need one by working with your primary care physician to determine if age, health history or any other factors necessitate you getting a mammogram (*more on this later in the story).
- Scheduling: If you do need a mammogram, try not to schedule it the week before you get your period or during your period as your breasts may be tender or swollen.
- Be Prepared: On the day of your mammogram, don’t wear deodorant, perfume, or powder. These products can show up as white spots on the X-ray.
- What to Wear: Some women prefer to wear a top with a skirt or pants, instead of a dress. You will need to undress from your waist up for the mammogram.
- Ask Questions: If you have questions during the process, from scheduling to completing a screening, be sure to ask. Everyone you work with is there to help.
When Should Women Get Mammograms?
Women should continue to get mammograms according to recommended time intervals as they work best when compared with previous scans which allows radiologists to compare them to look for changes. Comprehensive’s breast surgery team recommends women generally adhere to the following guidelines, working in conjunction with their primary care physicians to determine the need for a mammogram:
- Women under age 40: Family history of breast cancer or other cancers
- Women ages 40: Baseline reference mammograms
- Women age 40+: Mammograms every year
Abnormal Mammograms
An abnormal mammogram does not always mean that there is cancer. If abnormal results do present, you will need to have additional mammograms, tests, or exams before the doctor can tell for sure. You may also be referred to a Comprehensive Cancer breast specialist or a surgeon. A referral does not necessarily mean you have cancer or need surgery, but these doctors are experts in diagnosing breast problems. Doctors will do follow-up tests to diagnose breast cancer or to find that there is no cancer.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers Can Help
Physicians at Comprehensive Cancer Centers provide a variety of treatment options for patients with cancer, blood disorders, breast health conditions and pulmonary disease or sleep troubles. To schedule an appointment with the team at Comprehensive, please call 702-952-3350.
The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
