| Although it usually occurs in women over 35 | | | | During the procedure you will stand in front of an |
| years of age, breast cancer knows no age, race, | | | | X-ray machine, specifically designed for |
| social, or lifestyle barriers. It can strike any | | | | mammography purposes. A technician will place |
| woman at any time, regardless whether or not | | | | one of your breasts on a platform that holds the |
| she has ever smoked, taken an alcoholic | | | | X-ray film. The platform will be adjusted to your |
| beverage, or ever taken birth control. | | | | height; the technician will adjust your posture and |
| Although certain factors can increase a woman's | | | | position your body for an unobstructed view of |
| risk of getting breast cancer, every woman is at | | | | your breast. |
| risk. Even women who have never experienced a | | | | It is necessary that your breast be carefully |
| day of illness in their entire lives can fall victim. | | | | pressed against the platform by use of a clear |
| Breast Cancer - No Longer a Taboo Subject | | | | plastic plate used to spread out breast tissue. This |
| Breast cancer is no longer a taboo topic of | | | | is essential so that the X-rays can penetrate the |
| conversation. As breast cancer awareness | | | | tissue. You may find this uncomfortable, or even |
| increases so do a woman's ability to take | | | | a little painful. If discomfort is too great, tell the |
| responsibility by taking preventive measures. | | | | technician. |
| Routine self-examinations and mammography | | | | During X-ray exposure, you will be asked to stand |
| screenings go a long way in detecting breast | | | | still and hold your breath. Try to relax. Exposure |
| cancer while still in the early stages. Early | | | | time will be brief. The same process will be |
| detection greatly minimizes the seriousness of | | | | repeated for your other breast. |
| cancer if it is detected, and increases a woman's | | | | After the Mammogram |
| chance for survival. | | | | After both breasts have been X-rayed, you may |
| Yet, many women remain reluctant to take the | | | | be asked to wait until the technician checks the |
| initiative and schedule for a mammography | | | | quality of the images. If the views are not |
| screening. One reason is due of the fear of the | | | | adequate, you may have to be x-rayed. If the |
| unknown. Women who have never had one don't | | | | images are clear, you will be able to dress, and go |
| know what to expect. | | | | about your day. |
| This article was written with these women in | | | | The entire procedure usually takes less than a half |
| mind. It outlines what to expect during a | | | | hour. A radiologist will study the x-rays. He will be |
| mammogram, and tells how to prepare for one. | | | | looking for evidence of cancerous or |
| Many women who have been reluctant to | | | | non-cancerous conditions. After he examines the |
| schedule for a mammography screening will be | | | | images, the radiologist will send your doctor a |
| pleasantly surprised to learn that the procedure | | | | written report with the results of the tests. |
| itself is not nearly as intimidating as imagined. | | | | Possible findings include things such as calcium |
| The Mammography Screening | | | | deposits, most of which are benign, and masses |
| Let's begin with how to prepare for a | | | | of lumps. He will also look for distorted tissues, |
| mammogram. When scheduling for a | | | | and areas of denseness that appear in only one |
| mammogram, opt for a time when your breasts | | | | breast. If the radiologist notes any areas of |
| are least likely to be tender. This is usually the | | | | concern in his report, further tests will be |
| week following menstruation. Breasts are most | | | | recommended, just to be on the safe side. |
| apt to be sensitive just before and during your | | | | Roughly 5 to 15 percent of mammogram testing |
| menstrual cycle. | | | | is followed by further testing. |
| Once you have secured an appointment, you will | | | | Important Reminders |
| be instructed to avoid the use of deodorants, | | | | While mammography is a very good way to help |
| powders, lotions, creams or perfumes under your | | | | determine whether or not cancer is present, it |
| arms or around your breasts on the day of your | | | | isn't fool proof. Very small cancers or cancers |
| mammogram. This is because metallic particles | | | | located in a difficult to see area might not show |
| contained in powders, deodorants, and perfumes | | | | up on the mammogram. |
| could be visible on the mammogram, making | | | | A mammography also is not without potential |
| results confusing. | | | | risks. During the mammogram screening you will |
| The Day of the Mammography | | | | be briefly exposed to low-dose radiation. Even so, |
| The day of your test you might want to avoid | | | | the benefits of mammography far outweigh |
| wearing jewelry, since you will be asked to | | | | possible risks, especially for women over age 40. |
| remove jewelry for the test. You might also | | | | Having a mammogram might not be top on your |
| want to wear a two-piece outfit, since you will | | | | list of things you enjoy doing, but it nevertheless |
| have to remove everything from the waist up. | | | | increases a woman's chance at longevity. |
| Aspirin or another over the counter pain reliever | | | | Mammogram screening is an effective tool that |
| such as Tylenol or ibuprofen can be taken about | | | | could prove life saving. That is because early |
| an hour before the mammogram to help ease | | | | detection remains a woman's best defense in the |
| any discomfort experienced during testing. | | | | fight against her number one enemy; breast |
| Once you arrive for your test, you will be given | | | | cancer. |
| an examination gown. You will be asked to | | | | Every year the third Friday in October is National |
| remove jewelry, if you are wearing any and all | | | | Mammography Day. For more information about |
| clothing from the waist up. | | | | breast cancer, visit the quick content pages at |
| What Happens During the Mammography | | | | Writers Write Now web site. |
| Screening? | | | | ©2006 Lori S. |