Why is breast screening important?
1 in 8 women will develop Breast Cancer
A screening mammogram is the best method to detect breast cancer early for women over the age of 40.
1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and the risk of developing breast cancer increases with age.
When breast cancer is found early, most women will get better and get back to their normal lives.
This is because breast cancer treatment works best when the cancer is still small and has not spread outside the breast to other parts of the body.
Why are
screening mammograms
important?
Why have a screening mammogram?
A screening mammogram is an x-ray of the breasts for women who have not noticed any symptoms or changes in their breasts. Screening mammograms usually involve two x-ray pictures of each breast.
The x-ray pictures can find cancers as small as a grain of rice before you or your doctor can feel any changes in your breasts.
Mammography is performed on an outpatient basis. During mammography, a specially qualified mammography technologist will position your breast in the mammography unit. Your breast will be placed on a special platform and compressed with a paddle (often made of clear Plexiglas or other plastic). As soon as the image is taken, the compression is released. This means minimum discomfort for patients. The examination process should take about 10 minutes.
