A mammogram is the first line of defense against breast cancer, and it remains the most reliable diagnostic tool for doctors. Piedmont Healthcare follows The American College of Radiology (ACR) guidelines that recommend a baseline mammogram at the age of 40 and a yearly screening afterwards for women of average risk.
Who should have a mammogram?
First mammogram: The American College of Radiology (ACR) guidelines that recommend a baseline mammogram at the age of 40 and a yearly screening afterwards for women of average risk. The radiologist will compare this baseline mammogram with your future mammograms. If your mother or sister has had breast cancer, you should get your first mammogram at age 35.
Regular mammogram: After you receive results from your first mammogram, talk with your doctor about your personal risk factors. It is recommended you receive a yearly screening after your baseline.
Are there risks involved with having a mammogram?
Radiation exposure from a mammogram is equivalent to the risk you normally receive from traveling 70 miles by air or 10 miles by car. The risks are minimal; the benefits are potentially lifesaving. All mammography units at Piedmont are digital units.
Mammography at Piedmont is accredited by the American College of Radiology. Accreditation ensures that women receive optimum mammography examinations with the lowest possible risk.
Is a mammogram painful?
To get the highest-quality image possible, the technologist will compress your breast during the mammogram.
This will allow any small lumps or nodules to be seen more clearly with the least amount of radiation exposure. The compression is necessary to obtain quality mammograms and is not dangerous. However, you may feel mild discomfort for a day or two after the examination, which can usually be relieved by an over-the-counter pain medication.
Why 3D mammography?
It is the biggest breakthrough in breast cancer detection in 30 years. 3D mammography detects 41% more invasive breast cancers and reduces false positives by up to 40%. This means one simple thing: early detection.
3D mammography allows doctors to see masses and distortions associated with cancers and precancerous cells significantly more clearly than conventional 2D mammography. Instead of viewing all of the complexities of your breast tissue in a flat image, as with traditional 2D mammography, fine details are more visible and no longer hidden by the tissue above or below.
What should I expect during the 3D mammography exam?
A 3D mammography exam is very similar to having a traditional 2D mammogram. Like a 2D mammogram, the technologist will position you, compress your breast, and take images from different angles.
There’s no additional compression required with 3D mammography, and it only takes a few seconds longer for each view.
The technologist will view the images of your breasts at the computer workstation to ensure quality images have been captured for review. A radiologist will then examine the images and report results to either your physician or directly to you.
Who can have a 3D mammography exam?
3D mammography is approved for all women who would be undergoing a standard mammogram. Multiple clinical studies show that all women, regardless of breast type or density, benefit from 3D mammography.
Who will perform my mammogram?
Your mammogram will be performed by a female medical professional registered in radiology technology and certified to do mammography.
Who will evaluate my mammogram?
Your mammogram will be evaluated and interpreted at Piedmont Hospital by a board-certified radiologist (a medical doctor with special training in breast imaging). The radiologist will report your results to your physician.
What about radiation?
Very low x-ray energy is used during the exam, just about the same as a film screen mammogram. The total patient dose of a 3D mammogram is well within the FDA safety standards for mammography.
What is the difference between a screening and a diagnostic mammogram?
A screening mammogram is your annual mammogram that is done every year as long as you are not having any problems. If you are having any symptoms of breast disease, you will need to start with a diagnostic mammogram instead of a screening . Sometimes, the radiologist may ask you to come back after a screening for follow-up images to rule out an unclear area in the breast. This is also a diagnostic mammogram. Ultrasound is sometimes necessary as part of the diagnostic appointment.
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Some women's breasts are most sensitive just before their menstrual period. If this is the case for you, schedule your mammo-gram appointment for the week after your period has ended.
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Research suggests that caffeine makes breasts more sensitive, so you may want to avoid caffeine for at least a week before your mammogram.
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On the day of your mammogram, do not apply deodorant, talcum powder or any other cream to your underarms or breasts. The residue from such products can be detected by X-rays and could affect the results of your examination.
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Mammography is an excellent tool in the early detection of breast cancer, but is only part of a comprehensive approach. Besides having regular mammograms, you should examine your breasts each month and see your physician for regular checkups. All three components are equally important for your good health.