On Oct. 18, 1993, President Clinton proclaimed the first National Mammogram Day. Since then, this day has served as an annual pink checkmark on the calendar, encouraging women to schedule a mammography appointment. But what is a mammogram? Who should be screened? Does it save lives? How do you prepare for one?
The following information is sourced from leading organizations. We encourage women to have a well-rounded understanding of cancer screenings and make an informed decision about getting a mammogram.
What is a mammogram?
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), a mammogram is an x-ray that allows a qualified specialist to examine the breast tissue for any suspicious areas. The breast is exposed to a small dose of ionizing radiation that produces an image of the breast tissue.
Mammography is the most common screening test for breast cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
What is the purpose of a mammogram?
Mammograms do not diagnose cancer; however, mammograms can often show a breast lump before it can be felt. They also can show tiny clusters of calcium called micro-calcifications. Lumps or specks can be caused by cancer, fatty cells, or other conditions like cysts. Further tests are needed to find out if abnormal cells are present (NBCF).
According to the NCI, diagnostic tests may include a biopsy, in which cells or tissues are removed so a pathologist can check them under a microscope for signs of cancer (NCI).
Who should be screened?
Women 40 and older are encouraged to have mammograms every 1 or 2 years. Women who are younger than 40 and have risk factors for breast cancer should ask their healthcare professional whether mammograms are advisable and how often to have them (NBCF).
What factors increase the risk of breast cancer?
Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn’t mean that you will not get cancer. Still, women with a high risk of cancer may need to be screened more often or at an earlier age than other people.
The following are risk factors for breast cancer (NCI):
- Older age
- A personal history of breast cancer or benign (noncancer) breast disease
- Inherited risk of breast cancer
- Dense breasts
- Exposure of breast tissue to estrogen made in the body (through early menstruation, starting menopause at a later age, older age at first birth or never having given birth)
- Taking hormone therapy for symptoms of menopause
- Radiation therapy to the breast or chest
- Obesity and
- Drinking alcohol
Does screening help people live longer?
It is often quoted: “When breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 100%” (NBCF).
This is certainly an uplifting statistic. Still, it does not mean that all breast cancer is curable if caught in early stages. There is difficulty in measuring the effectiveness of early detection, given statistical factors such as lead-time bias, length bias and over-diagnosis (NCI, Cochrane). Many women, especially those with metastatic breast cancer, outlive the 5-year sampling survey, but will ultimately die from their cancer (Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program).
This is why, in addition to promoting screenings, organizations must support ongoing research in the field of breast cancer treatments.
Do cancer screenings pose any risks themselves?
There are some risks to be aware of before getting screened for cancer. These include false-positive test results (screening test results may appear to be abnormal even though there is no cancer); false-negative test results (screening test results may appear to be normal even though there is cancer); and some treatments for cancer have side effects (NCI).
What is informed and shared decision-making?
Every screening test has both benefits and harms. Your health care provider should talk to you about the benefits and harms of a screening test and include you in the decision about whether the screening test is right for you. This is called informed and shared decision-making (NCI).
If you’ve decided to get a mammogram, how should you prepare?
The National Breast Cancer Foundation has a fantastic resource outlining how to locate free of low-cost mammograms, to prepare for a mammogram, to understand what is happening during the screening, and to talk with your doctor about the results.
Click here to get your Mammogram 101 eBook.
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