Health & Wellness
MAMMOGRAMS - What You Need to Know
By: Molly
M. Long, MD
One of the most commonly asked
questions in my office are “When do I need to start getting
mammograms?” The answer is usually easy. The American Cancer
Society recommends beginning screening mammograms at the age of 40
and then yearly thereafter. If a woman is considered high risk,
they need to start at the age of 30; however, having one relative
with breast cancer does not make you high risk. Breast cancer is
extremely common affecting 1 out of every 8 women. Unfortunately,
chances are, someone in your family will have breast cancer. Your
doctor can advise you if you are high risk enough for early
screening. In general, there are several red flags for having a
genetic link to breast cancer. They include; members of the
family with breast cancer at a young age, a male family member
with breast cancer, a family history of ovarian cancer, or three
or more blood relatives with breast cancer. Any of these factors
may have your doctor recommending genetic testing as well as an
MRI with your screening mammogram.
Mammograms are X-rays that look at
changes that could represent cancer. They are not recommended for
the general population until age 40 because they are less accurate
on younger women. A younger woman will have denser breast tissue
and this obscures the changes the radiologist needs to evaluate.
It also creates more false positives which mean more tests and
biopsies for benign lesions.
The reason why mammograms are so
important is that most breast cancers are asymptomatic. When
breast cancer is discovered early, the 5-year survival rate is
98%. If the cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes, it drops
to 83%. If it has spread to distant organs, the survival rate
drops to 26%. Since a mammogram can detect a cancer before if is
found by a woman or her health care provider, it can dramatically
improve the woman’s survival rate if cancer is diagnosed.
A mammogram uses a special type of
X-ray machine that produces a very low dose of radiation. The
breast tissue is compressed between 2 plastic plates in order to
spread the tissue apart so the radiologist can evaluate the tissue
better. It causes very little discomfort and only lasts a few
seconds.
Digital mammography is now available
in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area. It is thought to be more
accurate in women under age 50, as well as women with greater
breast density. It uses a digital image that can be manipulated
on the computer by the radiologist, stored electronically, or sent
electronically for evaluation.
Most radiology centers require an
order from your physician to schedule your mammogram. It is ideal
to schedule it after your period so your breasts are less swollen
and sore. Most insurances cover screening mammograms. Uninsured
patients should contact the American Cancer Society at
1-800-ACS-2345 to find low cost facilities in your area.
Dr. Long is board certified by the
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, and is a Fellow of
the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. She is also a
member of the Florida Obstetrics and Gynecologic Society, the
Pinellas County Medical Association. She is in private practice
with Absolute
Health and Wellness, A Division of Tampa Bay Women's Care.
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