Every year on the third Friday of October, we celebrate National Mammography Day during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On this day, we remind all women of the importance of regular screenings and breast exams.

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is an X-ray image of your breast. It is used to find and diagnose breast disease. Your healthcare provider may order a mammogram if you have a breast problem, such as a lump, pain or discharge. Your provider may also order one as a screening test. The test can look for breast cancers, non-cancer (benign) tumors, cysts and lesions before they can be felt.

If a mammogram shows an area in your breast that may be suspicious of breast disease or cancer, your provider will refer you to a specialist who is trained to remove a sample of tissue. This is called a biopsy. This healthcare provider may remove the tissue by needle or during surgery. The tissue will be sent to the laboratory and given a pathology report if it is cancer.

Why might I need a mammogram?

You may need a mammogram to help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis. You may also need a mammogram if you have these symptoms:

• A lump

• Thickened skin on your breast

• Skin indentation on your breast

• Leaking fluid or nipple discharge

• A sore that doesn’t get better

• Breast pain

You may also need a screening mammogram if you have breasts that are dense, lumpy or very large. This is because your provider may not be able to do a full physical breast exam.

You may need a routine mammogram if you are at high risk for breast cancer. Or if you have had breast cancer in the past.

Your provider may have other reasons for advising that you have a mammogram.

When should I be screened for breast cancer?

The American Cancer Society recommends that screening be a choice starting at age 40 for women who are at average risk. Mammograms should be done every year for all women ages 45 to 54. Then you can switch to mammograms every two years. Or you have the choice to continue annual mammograms. Screening can continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 years or more.

Talk with your healthcare provider to find out which screening guidelines are right for you. If you are at higher risk for breast cancer, talk with your provider about:

• Starting screening mammograms earlier

• Having additional tests, such as breast ultrasound or MRI

• Having mammograms more often

How do I prepare for a mammogram?

Be sure to follow your provider’s instructions for preparing for a mammogram because some things may make your mammogram less accurate.

These include:

• Powder, deodorant, creams or lotions that you put on your underarms or on your breasts

• Breast implants

• Past breast surgery

• Hormonal breast changes

Tell your provider if you have breast implants.

Aultman’s Breast Care Center offers a full range of screening and diagnostic services including 3D high-resolution mammography, ultrasound, stereotactic breast biopsy, ultrasound core biopsy, SAVI placement, MRI biopsy, breast MRI and other services. The images obtained from the exams help to screen and diagnose diseases and cancers of the breast. For more information, please contact our Breast Care Center at 330-363-6285 or visit aultman.org/breast-ca.

Source: The StayWell Company, LLC