Piedmont HealthCare promotes National Mammogram Day, an annual observance held on the third Friday in October as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The day serves as a reminder that early detection is the best defense against breast cancer.
How does a mammogram work?
A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. The procedure is done by a radiologic or mammogram technologist and takes about 20 minutes to complete.
You stand in front of the special X-ray machine and the technologist places your breast on a clear plastic plate. Another plate is lowered from above and the plates flatten the breast, holding it still while the picture is taken. The technologist adjusts your breast and repeats the steps to take a side view picture. The other breast is X-rayed in the same manner.
You may feel pressure on your breasts that is slightly uncomfortable during the procedure. Compression is necessary to reduce the breast’s thickness and allow the X-ray beam to penetrate as few layers of overlapping tissues as possible.
A baseline mammogram shows your breasts under normal conditions. It is used in comparison with future mammograms. A radiologist will examine your mammogram to look for any changes that may indicate the presence of cancer. After the radiologist reads your test a report is sent to your doctor. You usually get results within a few weeks, but if there is a concern you’ll hear from your physician or the mammogram center sooner. An abnormal mammogram report will likely require additional more in-depth testing.
Are there any risks associated with mammograms?
A mammogram is a screening test. Most screening tests carry some element of risk. Breast cancer screening tests have the following risks:
- False-negative and false-positive tests can occur.
- Exposure to radiation.
- Anxiety that occurs when additional tests are required based on false-positive mammogram results.
- Pain or discomfort during the mammogram.
- Finding breast cancer during screening does not automatically improve health or help a woman live longer.
When should I have a mammogram done?
- If you are 40 or older and have an average risk of breast cancer, it is generally recommended that yearly screenings be done.
- If your breast cancer risk is higher than average, talk to your doctor about the appropriate age to begin mammograms.
All women are encouraged to do monthly self-exams on their breasts, checking for any lumps or other changes. But mammograms can often detect a problem before there is an outward physical sign.
