| I specialized in Mammography for 25 years. This | | | | changes in the tissue and respond more |
| exam is possibly the most hated by women. | | | | accurately. You might have a 'suspicious' area that |
| Unfortunately, it's all we have for now. It's the | | | | would result in a 'call back' for additional views, but |
| only exam that will detect early stage Breast | | | | if a Prior Mammogram showed the same thing |
| Cancer. Many patients experience pain and | | | | and it is unchanged, then you would not have to |
| discomfort from the compression of the breast, | | | | get the additional views. |
| but firm compression is most important. | | | | Risk factors are: |
| The purposes of firm compression are to stabilize | | | | 1) Family history of breast cancer |
| and separate the breast tissue to see it more | | | | 2) Early menses (started your period before age |
| clearly. It also thins the breast, resulting in a lower | | | | 12) |
| dose of radiation. I went to a seminar, and they | | | | 3) Late menopause |
| presented two exams on the same patient. One | | | | 4) Hormone replacement therapy |
| with light compression, and one with firm | | | | 5) Long term use of birth control pills |
| compression. The light one was read as normal, | | | | The Environment and a poor diet have also been |
| but the firm one clearly showed a cancerous area. | | | | linked to breast cancer. You should eat a Healthy |
| Scary! | | | | Diet to help lower your breast cancer risk. Sadly, |
| Another reason for firm compression is to | | | | we can't avoid the environment! |
| minimize motion. Think of a photograph with | | | | If you are in the normal risk factor range, you |
| something moving during the picture. What | | | | should get your first Mammogram at age 40. |
| happens? You guessed it! Blurring occurs causing | | | | Follow up every 2 years until you are 50. After |
| loss of detail. This is why X-Ray techs say "hold | | | | that, once a year is the standard for all women. |
| your breath!" | | | | Your risk factor is even higher if your mother, |
| A routine Mammogram consists of 4 images, 2 | | | | maternal aunt, sister or grandmother had |
| views of each breast. This is necessary to localize | | | | Premenapausal (younger than age 50) Breast |
| a suspicious area. Extremely large breasted | | | | cancer. This is a more aggressive form due to |
| women require more images because their | | | | hormones accelerating its' growth. In this case I |
| breasts are too large for the film! Breast implant | | | | would recommend your first Mammogram at age |
| patients require 8 images. The first 4 images are | | | | 35 and have yearly follow-ups. |
| the standard views, mostly to see the axillary | | | | Before you have your Mammogram, make sure |
| (armpit) area and the overall condition of the | | | | the facility and the Radiologist are Accredited! You |
| implant itself. The other 4 images are referred to | | | | will receive the best quality because they have to |
| as 'push back' views. The implant is 'pushed back' | | | | follow strict guidelines on a daily basis. |
| and only the breast tissue is compressed and | | | | If you have tender breasts, try cutting back on |
| imaged. | | | | caffeine and take a daily dose of Vitamin E. This |
| You should get your first (screening) Mammogram | | | | has been proven to decrease sensitivity in your |
| at age 40. Your 'risk factors' determine how | | | | breast. |
| often you should have one. It is important to | | | | Please get a Mammogram! Your loved ones will |
| make prior Mammograms available for the | | | | appreciate it! |
| Radiologist to compare the images. He can detect | | | | |