What
is a Mammogram?
A
mammogram is a safe, low-dose x-ray image of the inner structures
of your breast. Mammography is used to detect the early signs
of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer
death in women in the United States. One in eight women will
develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Despite these frightening
statistics, the good news is the chances of surviving breast
cancer are better today than ever before. Although breast
cancer cannot be prevented, early detection allows for the
best chance of cure available today. Mammography can detect
breast cancer when it is very small, even before it can be
felt. By finding cancer early, less surgery is needed to treat
the tumor. More importantly, finding breast cancer in its
earliest stage offers women a 90% chance of surviving. Our
mammography centers are fully accredited by the American
College of Radiology and certified by the FDA.
Your
Mammography Experience
When
you arrive at our office, you will be asked to complete a
medical questionnaire. You will then be escorted to an individual
dressing room and asked to undress from the waist up and wear
a gown provided. A certified female technologist will review
your medical history and symptoms related to your breasts.
In the examination room, the technologist will position you
in a standing position at the machine. The mammogram usually
consists of two x-rays of each breast. Your breast will be
positioned over the film. Moderate compression will be applied
to your breast in order to obtain the clearest picture with
the least amount of radiation. The compression is not dangerous.
It does not damage the breast tissue and does not produce
long-term discomfort. Some women with sensitive breasts may
experience mild discomfort so try to schedule the procedure
when your breasts are least tender. If pain occurs as compression
is increased, tell the technologist and less compression will
be used. Occasionally, there is a mild aching immediately
following the mammogram. This can be relieved by Tylenol,
buffered aspirin or ibuprofen, which you may take if you are
not allergic to any of these medications. In a few cases,
the radiologist may request additional views or a sonogram
to further evaluate your breasts. The entire mammography procedure
takes less than thirty minutes.
What
happens after I am finished?
A
board certified radiologist with extensive experience in mammography
will interpret your mammogram, describe any abnormalities,
and suggest a likely diagnosis. Because some breast cancers
are hard to visualize, the radiologist might want to compare
the images to previous results. A report of the results will
be sent to your doctor. All urgent findings will be communicated
immediately. You will also receive a report of your results
in the mail.
Like all physicians, a radiologist must have graduated from
an accredited medical school, passed a licensing examination,
and completed at least four years of residency. A radiologic
technologist has undergone one to four years of training,
leading to a certificate, associate's degree, or bachelor's
degree. With additional training, a technologist can specialize
and work exclusively with specialized radiographic equipment.
