{"id":2769,"date":"2019-01-08T12:51:20","date_gmt":"2019-01-08T19:51:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthimages.com\/?p=2769"},"modified":"2023-01-23T07:53:50","modified_gmt":"2023-01-23T14:53:50","slug":"why-you-should-schedule-your-mammogram","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthimages.com\/why-you-should-schedule-your-mammogram\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should Schedule Your Mammogram"},"content":{"rendered":"
More than 260,000 women are diagnosed<\/a> with new cases of invasive breast cancer every year, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), and one in eight women has a chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. But, early detection through mammograms and advanced treatments are helping save more lives than ever before. The widespread use of mammography has been instrumental in reducing breast cancer mortality by nearly 40 percent since 1990<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n You can schedule your mammography appointment<\/a> performed by a caring, certified female technologist here at Health Images and board-certified radiologists will read your images.<\/p>\n Jump to Sections:<\/strong><\/p>\n The number one reason why mammograms are so important lies in the survival rates for early detection. According to the ACS, women who discover breast cancer and begin treatment before it spreads have a 99 percent five-year survival rate<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Moreover, recent findings published in November 2018 in Cancer<\/em> revealed women who undergo regular screenings with mammograms have a much lower risk of dying from the breast cancer<\/a> within two decades of diagnosis than women who do not have screening regularly.<\/p>\n In the past, many women didn\u2019t consult physicians until they felt lumps. But today, mammograms can detect tumors in the breast when they\u2019re too small for you or your doctor to feel it. Mammography allows the detection of tumors and other signs of breast cancer up to two years before women or their physicians can feel a lump.<\/p>\n The take-home message is: mammograms help save lives<\/strong>. Your<\/em> life could be the one saved.<\/p>\n Schedule a Mammogram at Health Images<\/a><\/p>\n Women who are considered high risk for developing breast cancer<\/a> according to ACS include the following:<\/p>\n ACR reports that nearly 75 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer are not considered high risk and have no family history of the disease.<\/p>\n Women get mammograms \u2014 which are black-and-white x-ray images of the breast \u2014 to help detect abnormalities, such as tumors, in breast tissue. Mammograms give doctors a better idea of what\u2019s going on beneath the surface of your skin, deep within your breast tissue, so they can determine if further investigation or treatment is necessary if they find something suspicious.<\/p>\n Two main types of mammograms include:<\/p>\n Your doctor may request a mammogram if you have:<\/p>\n A mammogram is an outpatient procedure here at Health Images. While you may be in our comfortable waiting room briefly before the test, the screening mammogram itself only takes about 15 minutes. A diagnostic mammogram may take a little longer at 30 minutes.<\/p>\n You will stand for the mammogram. The technologist conducts the x-ray on a machine uniquely designed for mammography and adjustable to your height. The technologist positions one of your breasts on the machine\u2019s platform and helps you position your head and body so the imaging equipment has an unobstructed view of the breast.<\/p>\n Then, the technologist gently presses a clear plastic against your breast, applying pressure to the breast, so it is spread out and held still. This prevents the images from blurring from movement. The technologist requests that you hold your breath briefly and stand still while the imaging takes place.<\/p>\n The technologist performs this process on both breasts before asking you to wait while they check the image quality to make sure there is no reason to take further images. You may be asked to wait for about five or ten minutes while the technologist makes sure all the images are clear and none need to be retaken. Once the images are approved, you can dress and go on with your day.<\/p>\n Overall, you should expect to spend an hour or less for the entire procedure.<\/p>\n How often you should be scheduling your mammogram depends on a few factors including your age, your risk for developing breast cancer, your breast density<\/a> and your doctor\u2019s recommendations.<\/p>\n There is no general conclusive consensus among the medical community of when to get a mammogram. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides an overview chart of the breast cancer screening guidelines<\/a> according to the published recommendations of various authoritative organizations, such as the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), American Cancer Society and others.<\/p>\n For instance, the USPSTF, which is an organization comprised of disease experts and physicians who review research on the optimal way to prevent diseases and make recommendations on how doctors can help patients avoid diseases or find them early, has published breast cancer screening recommendations.<\/p>\n The USPSTF guidelines<\/a> recommend women of average risk who are 50 to 74 years old get a mammogram every two years. Women 40 to 49 years old should talk to their doctor or other health care professional about when to start and how often to get a mammogram. Women should weigh their unique risks and the benefits of screening tests when determining whether to begin getting mammograms before age 50.<\/p>\n The American Cancer Society recommendations<\/a> include:<\/p>\n The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women aged 40 to 74 have a screening mammogram and clinical breast exam<\/a> once per year.<\/p>\n Because you are unique, and your risk factors and needs are different, work with your doctor on when to schedule your mammogram.<\/p>\n A few rules of thumb will help you make sure you have the best possible mammogram experience. While few women will ever claim it\u2019s the most comfortable form of screening and diagnostic testing in the world, these things will minimize discomfort as much as possible:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These tips will help ease potential physical discomfort, and reduce the risks of being asked to have an unnecessary follow-up mammogram.<\/p>\n Many women do not schedule mammograms for a variety of reasons. Some women have multiple reasons for not scheduling a mammogram. These reasons include:<\/p>\n Among the biggest reasons women struggle with scheduling mammograms is fear. Not necessarily the fear of the examination itself, though that plays a role for some women. Many women have anxiety about what the examination will reveal. Few types of cancer strike fear in the heart of women more than breast cancer. For many women, their breasts are closely tied to what they believe is their femininity or perhaps their motherhood. The thought of losing one or both of their breasts to cancer can be scary.<\/p>\n The reality, though, is that early detection with mammography may be instrumental in reducing the need for a mastectomy altogether, helping you save your breast as well as your life in the process. Additionally, not all abnormalities found during a screening mammogram are breast cancer.<\/p>\n The fact is the radiation used in digital mammography is low-dose. For most women, the risks of low-dose radiation outweigh the benefits<\/a>.<\/p>\n The process can be uncomfortable for some women, though certainly bearable. Your compassionate Health Images technologist will help you feel as comfortable as possible.<\/p>\n Money is another reason women often fail to schedule mammograms when they should. Fortunately, many insurance plans provide coverage for mammograms.<\/p>\n Women think it will force them to miss work or sacrifice family time to get their mammogram performed. Fortunately, you can probably be in and out during your lunch hour.<\/p>\n Here at Health Images, we have early morning appointments starting at 7 a.m., evening appointments until 8 p.m. and Saturday mammograms by appointment. Because it is an outpatient procedure and no anesthesia is required, you can return to work immediately after the x-ray is complete.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another factor that prevents women from scheduling their mammograms is the belief that this is something only older women need. The truth is that breast cancer can strike at any age, and the many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year do not fall within the \u201chigh risk\u201d parameters for the disease.<\/p>\n You may be advised to have follow-up imaging if abnormal results show in the initial mammogram. Don\u2019t be alarmed if this is the case for you. Follow-up or diagnostic mammograms are not necessarily bad news. They can clarify imagery found in the initial mammogram screening.<\/p>\n Diagnostic mammograms involve more images than those performed for general health screening. Among the things that can show up on a mammogram, are the following:<\/p>\n While a mammogram is a vital diagnostic tool for determining if you might have cancer, a breast biopsy may be the next step to identify if you do have cancer. The imaging tools rule out other possibilities, reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies, which are far more invasive procedures.<\/p>\n Getting a mammogram is something that takes only a matter of minutes but can add years to your life through early detection. Mammography is a tool of broad positive impact when it comes to taking the fight to cancer before it has a solid footing in your body.<\/p>\n Now you know all the reasons why you should get a mammogram and factors to consider when scheduling yours, ultimately, you\u2019re the one who will decide to ask your doctor, \u201cHow can I book a mammogram?\u201d<\/p>\n Today is the day to take your health into your own hands and schedule your mammogram at one of the many Health Images locations near you<\/a>. If it reveals nothing, you\u2019ll have great peace of mind. However, early detection of breast cancer can mean the difference between life and death. You are worth that peace of mind, and you deserve it.<\/p>\n\n
Why Mammograms Are Important<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Who Is at High Risk for Developing Breast Cancer?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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What Are Mammograms and What Are the Types?<\/h3>\n
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How a Mammogram Works and What to Expect During a Mammogram<\/h3>\n
How Women Should Be Scheduling a Mammogram<\/h3>\n
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Factors to Consider When Scheduling Your Mammogram<\/h3>\n
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Why Some Women May Not Schedule a Mammogram<\/h3>\n
1. Fear of Having Cancer<\/h5>\n
2. Scared of Radiation<\/strong><\/h5>\n
3. It Can Be Uncomfortable<\/strong><\/h5>\n
4. There Is an Expense<\/strong><\/h5>\n
5. Takes Too Much Time<\/strong><\/h5>\n
6. Believe They\u2019re Not at Risk<\/h5>\n
Mammogram Results<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Is a Mammogram the Right Choice for You?<\/h3>\n
Schedule Your Mammogram at Health Images<\/h2>\n