| A Mammogram is the only exam to show early | | | | o pregnant woman who developed a breast |
| stage Breast Cancer. Other exams such as | | | | mass. I imaged her breasts (shielding her pregnant |
| Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine and MRI are done | | | | tummy with a lead apron) and she had a biopsy. |
| after a Breast Mass is found. | | | | It was malignant and 5 months later she had to |
| Let's say you were 'called back' after your | | | | abort her baby and she died.Her pregnancy |
| Mammogram for micro-calcifications. The additional | | | | hormones fed the cancer and it spread quickly. |
| views appear suspicious. What's next? One of | | | | That will stay with me for the rest of my life. |
| two things will happen. | | | | What happens if your biopsy is positive |
| 1) Needle Biopsy (Stereo Tactic Core Biopsy) | | | | (malignant)? Your choices are: |
| 2) Needle localization followed by surgery | | | | 1) Lumpectomy (remove mass area only) with |
| Stereo Tactic Core Biopsy (that's what I had!) is | | | | Radiation Therapy and possible Chemo Therapy. |
| done by a Radiologist in the Mammography | | | | You will have close Mammographic follow ups for |
| Department. You lie on your stomach on a table | | | | several years. |
| with a hole in it. The hole is where your breast | | | | 2) Radical Mastectomy (remove entire breast and |
| goes! All the work is done under the table.They | | | | axillary lymph nodes). The lymph nodes are tested |
| numb your breast, and the needle captures the | | | | for malignancy. These results will determine your |
| calcifications and removes them from your | | | | Radiation and/or Chemo treatments. |
| breast. A Pathologist will test the tissue for | | | | You will have close follow ups of your remaining |
| malignancy. | | | | breast. |
| Needle Localization is also done by a Radiologist in | | | | If your biopsy is negative (benign) you will have a |
| the Mammography Department. You can stand or | | | | 6 month follow up of the affected breast, if all's |
| sit during this procedure.They numb your breast, | | | | well you will return to your normal Mammography |
| and a needle is placed to localize the calcification | | | | schedule. |
| area. You will then go to surgery and a Surgeon | | | | Breast Cancer is not for women only. In my |
| will remove the tissue around the needle. The | | | | career I've seen several men with Breast Cancer. |
| tissue is sent back to the Mammography | | | | They had mastectomies and a Mammogram of |
| Department and imaged. This ensures the | | | | the remaining breast yearly. Men don't know to |
| suspicious area is removed. | | | | examine themselves. In most cases their wives |
| A breast mass that can be felt doesn't require | | | | found the lump and sent them to the Doctor! |
| any localization procedures. The surgeon can | | | | One man I remember was a nice big guy. When I |
| remove it easily. | | | | compressed his breast he offered to help. He |
| I'm sure you've heard of stories where a woman | | | | pushed the compression paddle down himself! On |
| had a Mammogram and 6 months later she had | | | | his way out he fixed our squeaky door!! |
| full blown Breast Cancer. One of the reasons for | | | | He was a hoot! |
| this is she might have been pre-menapausal and | | | | Please, have a Mammogram according to your |
| her hormones accelerated the growth. This is a | | | | risk factors, practice breast self examination and |
| very aggressive type of breast cancer. | | | | see your doctor yearly. Your loved ones will |
| My worst case that still makes me cry is a 32 y | | | | appreciate it! |