Mammograms – Why YOU Should Get Tested Now

By Avanti Vadivelu
 
According to the American Cancer Society, about 178,480 women in the United States were found to have invasive breast cancer in 2007. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, and is the second-leading cause of death among types of cancer in American women. However, it is also one of the easiest to detect in its early stages. 
 
A mammogram (an x-ray of the breast) is the best tool in detecting the early stages of breast cancer. Old news to you? Well, here’s another question… have you gotten a mammogram yet?
 
There seems to be a lot of confusion about who should get mammograms, or when to get one. We want to make it easy for you with this guide:
 
Age 30-40
Women between the ages of 30 and 40 should get a mammogram if breast or ovarian cancer is prevalent in their family histories, if they have had radiation treatment to the chest in the past, or if their breasts are especially dense.
 
Age 40 and Above
All women ages 40 and above should get a mammogram at least once a year.
 
Age 65 and Above
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), mammograms at this age should be based on the woman’s health and whether or not she has other serious illnesses. The ACS also maintains that age alone should not be the reason to stop having regular mammograms. As long as a woman is in good health and would be a candidate for treatment, she should continue to have mammograms.
 
Of course, knowing when to get a mammogram, or learning whether you are at high risk for breast cancer should also be discussed with your healthcare provider. It is also recommended that women (as early as age 20) perform a self-breast exam on a monthly basis and that they receive a clinical breast exam on an annual basis (this is usually done during most annual gynecological appointments). 
 
Here are some other things you should consider when planning when to get your mammogram:
 

• It’s a fast procedure, taking only about 5-10 minutes.
• It doesn’t cause too much discomfort.
• It’s safe. The amount of radiation exposed from a mammogram is very minimal (lower than most other types of x-rays).
• If you’re the anxious-type, find a center that will give you immediate results.
• Mammograms may not detect all tumors. It may end up giving you a false-positive (when the mammogram identifies a spot that looks cancerous, but is actually normal), or worse – a false-negative (when a cancerous tumor hides in normal breast issue). The best way to avoid these “mistakes” is by conducting the above-mentioned self-breast exams and clinical breast exams. 
• Bring old mammogram films to your mammogram appointments for the radiologists to compare images.

 
We sincerely hope you will take the fate of your health into your own hands by getting mammograms at the appropriate times. Cancer is no joking matter, and we should welcome any opportunity we have to beat it with open arms. Here’s to a healthy life!