Mammography....
What is a mammogram?
How is a mammogram done?
How often should I get a mammogram?
Where can I get a mammogram?
How can I get ready for my mammogram?
For More Information
Breast Imaging
Mammographic Findings of Breast Cancer
A mammogram is an x-ray picture
of the breast. Mammograms can find breast cancer that is too
small for you, your doctor, or nurse to feel. Finding breast
cancer when it is small means that you have a better chance of
surviving the disease and more choices for how to treat the
disease.
You stand in front of an x-ray
machine. The person who takes the x-rays places your breast
between two plastic plates. The plates press your breast and
make it flat. You will feel pressure on your breasts for a few
seconds. This may be uncomfortable for you, but the flatter your
breasts, the better the picture. You will have two pictures
taken of each breast. The whole thing takes only a few minutes.
Women over 40 should get a
mammogram every one to two years. Talk to your doctor about how
often you should get a mammogram.
If you find a lump or see
changes in your breast, talk to your doctor right away no matter
what your age. Your doctor may want you to get a mammogram done
to get a better look at your breast changes.
You want to get a mammogram
from a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-certified facility.
These places must meet high standards for their x-ray machines
and staff. Call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer
Information Service at 1-800-422-6237 or check out the FDA's web
site on the Internet at:
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/mammography/fda_certified_mammography_faci.html
for a list of FDA-certified mammography facilities.
Your doctor, local medical
clinic, or county health department can tell you where to get
no-cost or low-cost mammograms.
You can get ready for your
mammogram by doing the following things.
-
Make your
mammogram appointment for one week after your period. Your
breasts hurt less after your period.
-
Wear a shirt
with shorts, pants, or a skirt. That way you can undress from
the waist up and leave your shorts, pants, or skirt on when
you get your mammogram.
-
Do not wear any
deodorant, perfume, lotion, or powder under your arms or on
your breasts on the day of your mammogram appointment. These
things can make shadows show up on your mammogram.
You can find out more about
mammograms by contacting the National Women's Health Information
Center (800-994-9662) or the following organizations:
American Cancer Society
Phone:
(800) ACS-2345
Internet Address:
http://www.cancer.org/
Susan G. Komen Breast
Cancer Foundation Phone:
(800) 462-9273
Internet Address:
http://www.komen.org/
Source: The
National Women's Health Information Center
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/Easyread/mammography-etr.htm
Breast Imaging
Normal Breast -- The
normal mammography image shows a thin, regular skin line
with a diffuse, even, soft tissue density of the general
glandular tissue and fatty structures organized in a relatively
regular way by Cooper's ligaments. (Courtesy Yale School
of Medicine)
- Fibroadenoma
(mammogram
-- courtesy Yale School of Medicine)
(MRI image)
- Fibrocystic Breast Disease (mammogram)
(ultrasound)
Mammographic Findings of Breast Cancer
-
High density, spiculated mass
(image: mammogram)
- Clustered
microcalcifications with variable shape and size; Granular,
bizarre
microcalcifications are suspicious.
- Well-defined solid masses
are sometimes malignant. (Ultrasound is used to determine
whether such a mass is solid or cystic.)
Mammography (image:
mammogram) allows the early detection of small, non-palpable
breast cancers, and thus, allows identification of breast
cancers at an earlier state than physical exam
Women can therefore, have more
choices in therapy, including breast conservation therapy
(lumpectomy and radiation therapy) and have improved outcomes
when compared to breast cancers discovered by physical exam
Comedo-type Intraductal Carcinoma I (image only)
Intraductal Carcinoma (mammogram) (courtesy Yale School
of Medicine)
  
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