Mammograms matter
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), a global campaign to raise awareness for breast cancer, increase screenings and provide critical support for patients and survivors. Since 1989, increased awareness through campaigns like BCAM has helped reduce breast cancer deaths in the United States by 44%, according to the American Cancer Society.
Mammograms, X-rays of the breasts, play a key role in breast cancer screening as they can detect breast cancer before it causes signs and symptoms. No referral or order from a doctor is required to schedule a mammogram. Mammograms have been shown to reduce the risk of dying of breast cancer, according to mayoclinic.org.
Health care providers should perform a clinical breast exam at annual physicals, and you can practice breast self-awareness by knowing what is normal for you and being able to identify small changes immediately. You should perform self-exams at least once a month.
Women who are at an increased risk of breast cancer should talk with their health care providers about starting mammography screening earlier than 40, having additional tests or having more frequent exams.
While screening mammograms are routinely performed to detect breast cancer in women who have no apparent symptoms, diagnostic mammograms are used after suspicious results on a screening mammogram or after some signs of breast cancer alert the physician to check the tissue.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) states, “Beginning in late 2024, radiologists are required to report the degree of density found within your breast tissue since highly dense breast tissue is considered a risk factor for developing breast cancer. If you have dense breast tissue, you should discuss additional imaging studies with your healthcare provider.” About half of the women who have screening mammograms have dense breasts, according to NBCF.
Mayoclinic.org lists the following as additional screening options:
- Breast ultrasound, which uses sound waves to detect solid masses.
- Breast MRI, which uses a magnetic field and radio waves to make 3D images of the breast tissue.
- 3D mammography (Digital Breast Tomosynthesis – DBT), which uses X-rays from many angles.
- Contrast-enhanced digital mammogram, which uses contrast material that contains iodine.
- Molecular breast imaging, which uses a radioactive tracer and a camera.
You and your healthcare professional may consider additional testing based on your risk factors and your personal preferences. Talk about the options with your healthcare team. Together, you can decide which tests are best for you.
Visit nationalbreastcancer.org to browse hundreds of articles, guides and videos.
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo
