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What is a Mammogram?
A mammogram is a special x-ray of the breast. It is a radiological
procedure available to detect small cancers long before you or
your doctor can feel them.
As the x-rays pass through the breast tissue, an actual picture
of the tissue inside is obtained. This image allows the radiologist
to determine whether or not cancer is present.
If you are not having any breast problems, you will be scheduled
for a screening mammogram. If you are having problems, then you should
be scheduled for a diagnostic mammogram.
Common uses of this procedure
Mammography is used to diagnose breast diseases in women. The use
of screening mammography can assist in the detection of disease
even if you have no complaints or symptoms.
While the AMA and ACR recommend that women aged 40 and older get
annual mammograms, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) says women
who are at increased risk due to a genetic history of breast cancer,
or who have had breast cancer, may need to get mammograms at an earlier
age.
The following are suggested guidelines.
- Between the
ages of 35 and 40: A woman should have a baseline mammogram
- Between the ages of 40 and 50: A woman should have a mammogram
once every one or two years
- After the age of 50: A woman should have the mammogram every
year
 How does it work?
The breast is exposed to a small dose of radiation to produce an
image of internal breast tissue. The image of the breast is produced
as a result of some of the x-rays being absorbed (attenuation)
while others pass through the breast to expose the film. The exposed
film is either placed in a developing machine, producing images
much like the negatives from a 35-mm camera, or images are digitally
stored on computer
Benefits VS risks of a Mammography?
Benefits
Imaging of the breast improves a physician's ability to detect small
tumors. When tumors are small, effective treatment and cure are
more likely.
The use of screening mammography increases the detection of small
abnormal tissue growths confined to the milk ducts in the breast,
called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). These early tumors cannot
harm patients if they are removed at this stage and mammography is
the only proven method to reliably detect these tumors.
Risks
Radiation exposure. Mammography is an x-ray imaging procedure. Federal
mammography guidelines limit the radiation used for each exposure
of the breast to 0.3 rad. The exposure to radiation received from
two mammographic views is equivalent to six months of natural background
exposure. This amount of exposure is believed to be safe.
False Positive Mammograms. Between 5 and 10 percent of mammogram
results are abnormal and require more testing (more mammograms, fine
needle aspiration, ultrasound, or biopsy), and most of the follow-up
tests confirm that no cancer was present. It is estimated that a
woman who has yearly mammograms between ages 40 and 49 would have
about a 30 percent chance of having a false-positive mammogram at
some point in that decade, and about a 7 to 8 percent chance of having
a breast biopsy within the 10-year period. The estimate for false-positive
mammograms is about 25 percent for women ages 50 or older.
Patient Comfort
During a mammogram, the breast is positioned on the x-ray machine
and is placed between two pieces of plastic. This gently flattens
the breast and exposes as much of the tissue as possible. Your
breasts will be compressed a few seconds for each x-ray. Although
this will be slightly uncomfortable, it is necessary to ensure
an accurate exam. The discomfort usually subsides within seconds.
Many women experience increased tenderness of the breasts prior to
menstruation. If this applies to you, please avoid scheduling your
mammogram at this time to minimize any additional discomfort.
Preparation required
If you have had a mammogram at a different facility other than Image
North, please bring the films with you prior to your appointment.
We will want to view those films for comparison.
Since this exam requires that you undress from the waist up for the
exam, you may wish to wear a two-piece outfit. Do not apply any deodorant,
powder or cream the day of your exam.
After the test
All patients are able to return to normal activities immediately
following the scan.
Getting Your Results
Image North has radiologists on site to promptly provide analysis
and reporting. In most cases, the results of the test will be available
to the referring doctor before the patient leaves the facility.
The radiologist at Image North may discuss the results with the
patient, or privately and securely send the results to the referring
physician.
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