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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Spanish version
Mammograms
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray that examines breast tissue.
When is it used?
A mammogram helps detect breast cancer at an early stage.
Mammograms can detect some types of cancer before you or
your health care provider can feel a lump. They detect
about 90% of cancerous lumps.
Mammograms are also used to check lumps you or your health
care provider have found in a physical exam. They can help
determine which lumps are cancerous and which are benign.
However, all suspicious lumps should be biopsied or removed,
even when the lump appears noncancerous (benign) on a
mammogram. Mammograms can show where a lump is located in
the breast before surgery or biopsy is done to remove it.
How do I prepare for a mammogram?
Be sure your underarms and chest are clean. Don't put any
deodorants, powders, or perfumes on your underarms or chest
on the day your mammogram is to be done. These products can
make it difficult to interpret the test results correctly.
What happens during the procedure?
A mammogram is done in your health care provider's office or
an x-ray clinic. You will be asked to take off your shirt,
bra, and jewelry. It takes just a few minutes for the
technologist to use a large machine to take x-rays of each
breast. Usually two views are taken of each breast. You
will feel some pressure when your breasts are pressed
between two plates for the x-rays. Each x-ray position
requires just a few seconds.
What happens after the procedure?
Ask your health care provider how you will be notified of
the results and when you should have another mammogram.
If you are 40 to 49 years old, you should have a mammogram
every 1 to 2 years, depending on your personal and family
history. At age 50 and after, you should have a mammogram
every year. Comparing mammograms from year to year helps
detect early cancer.
Your health care provider should give you a breast exam once
a year. In addition, you should do a breast self-exam every
month, even if you have an exam by your provider and a
mammogram every year.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
Mammograms help your health care provider diagnose breast
problems. Most commonly, they help find breast cancer at an
early stage. One out of every eight women in the US will
develop breast cancer in their lifetimes. The smaller and
the more localized a cancer is at the time of diagnosis and
treatment, the greater the chance of a cure. The mammogram
allows the detection of some types of breast cancer 1 to 2
years before you or your health care provider would be able
to feel it. There is a better chance of curing the cancer
if it is found at an early stage.
What are the risks associated with this procedure?
There are no known significant risks from having mammograms
according to the recommended screening schedule. Discuss
any concerns you have with your health care provider.
When should I call my health care provider?
- Call your health care provider right away for an
appointment if you find any change in your breasts when
you do a self-exam, especially if you find a lump.
- Call your health care provider during office hours if you
have questions about the procedure or its result.
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