Mammograms

Mammograms Q & A

What are mammograms?

Mammograms are breast X-rays designed to detect early signs of breast cancer. Mammograms can find signs of cancer before you feel any physical lumps in your breasts. In fact, sometimes mammograms can detect cancer up to three years before you feel it.

For this reason, mammograms are an important preventive health service for women. 

How do mammograms work?

When you come into Chiefland Health Center, your team asks you to stand in front of the mammogram machine, which is a specialized X-ray machine. 

The mammogram machine features two plates, one upon which your technician places your breast, and one that presses on your breast from above. This pressure compresses and flattens your breast, so that your team can get a better look at your breast tissue. 

This method also requires less radiation. After they take your first X-ray, your technician adjusts your breast so that they can get a side view of your breast tissue. Then, they repeat this process on your other breast.

After your technician finishes your mammogram session, they send the X-rays to another team member, who then interprets them. Keep in mind that your technician can’t relay the results of your mammogram to you.

How often do I need to get a mammogram?

In general, women between the ages of 40 or 45 and 49, with an average risk for breast cancer, should schedule a mammogram once a year or once every two years.

If you’re between the ages of 50 and 74, most authorities agree that you should schedule a mammogram once every one to two years as well.

After the age of 74, it’s best to decide with your Chiefland Health Center team if and how often you need to continue to schedule mammograms.

Some women are at a higher risk for breast cancer than others. Such women include those with close relatives who have had breast or ovarian cancer (parent, sibling, child, etc.), those with inherited mutations to their BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, and those who have a personal history of cancerous or noncancerous breast disease.

If you fall into the high-risk group, you should:

• Start getting mammograms by age 40 at the latest
• Request an MRI along with your mammogram
• Get screened for breast cancer annually
• Discuss your individual and family health history at length with your doctor
  
  

Every woman is unique, so it’s important to seek personalized advice from your Chiefland Health Center team about how frequently you need a mammogram.

Though the thought of going in to get one may give you anxiety, the truth is that mammograms save lives. With regular screenings, you can catch breast cancer before it advances into something more serious.

If you’re over the age of 40 and you’re interested in scheduling a mammogram for yourself, call or contact Chiefland Health Center online today.