Now that the five year survival rate of breast cancer is over 90% when caught early, awareness and prevention have become invaluable and promotion of any related information to women of all ages is crucial. As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there is no better time to spread the word!
Preparing for Your Annual Mammogram
Getting a high-quality screening mammogram and having a clinical breast exam on a regular basis in conjunction with periodic self-exams are the most effective ways to detect breast cancer early. Sometimes scheduling these appointments can be the hard part, as it can cause fear and anxiety. To alleviate some of this associated stress, Women’s Clinic of Lincoln, P.C. provides the following information about what to expect when you go in for your mammogram and how to best prepare yourself for the procedure:
• Avoid caffeine for two weeks prior to your appointment if possible, as some women’s breasts become more sensitive with any amount of consumption.
• Try to schedule your appointment so that it is performed right after your menstrual period begins.
• If you have had previous mammograms, make sure this essential information is available for the current evaluation. You can have your previous films sent for comparison at the time of your appointment, or you can bring the films with you if you prefer.
• Do not wear any perfumes, powders or deodorant on the day of your appointment as they will interfere with the exam process.
• First, the technologist will complete a computerized, confidential questionnaire including your medical history and possible symptoms related to your breasts. During the check-in process, it is also a great time to learn more about breast cancer issues and current areas of research by utilizing or requesting a wealth of resources available at their facility.
• After the initial consultation, you will be directed into a private dressing room. This procedure requires that you undress from the waist up and wear the infamous ‘medical gown.’
• During the mammography, the technologist will position your breast over the film. She will need to apply firm compression so that fewer x-rays are needed, the breasts do not move, and so that normal breast tissue can be better differentiated from abnormal breast tissue. The compression only lasts a few seconds. It is also important to note that these exams are individualized for each patient and supervised by a board-certified radiologist.
• Your visit will last approximately 30 minutes, depending upon what studies are required and whether or not you will spend time using their educational resources. Some women may also require extra films to be taken.
• Within one week, you will receive a note in the mail indicating that the radiologist has read your mammogram and if it is unchanged or normal. The only reason for any delay would be if an outside comparison is deemed to be necessary. If any abnormalities are noted, a member of your healthcare team will call you within 48 hours in order to schedule follow-up tests.
• If your mammogram indicated any abnormalities, don’t instantly think the worst. Most irregularities turn out to be nothing to be concerned about—but you are always better safe than sorry. However, if additional testing is recommended it should be scheduled as soon as possible.
The goal of screening exams for early breast cancer detection is to find cancers before they start to cause symptoms. Breast cancers that are found because they are causing symptoms tend to be larger and are more likely to have already spread beyond the breast, the two most important factors in predicting the outlook of someone with this disease. Early detection tests for breast cancer save thousands of lives each year, and so many more lives could be saved if even more women took advantage of these quick, non-invasive tests on a regular basis. There is no better time than now to get yourself checked out and be a positive statistic!