Health Topics for Tests and Exams

Respiratory Care

Cellular Immunology Diagnostic Lab

Mammography

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. It is often considered a disease of older women, but there are younger women with this problem as well. This is especially true in women with a family history of breast cancer. Mammography is a form of x-ray used to find breast cancers. A mammogram is a widely available screening test used to find small breast cancers that cannot be felt by exam.

The smaller the cancer is when it is found, the less likely it is to have spread and the better the outcome.

The best chance of finding breast cancer is a combination of:

• monthly self-exam

• healthcare provider's annual exam and

• mammograms as directed

It is recommended that women aged 40 and older have a mammogram every year. Women who are at an increased risk for breast cancer may also require mammograms. These include women who have a history of:

• smoking

• a family or personal history of breast cancer

• a previous noncancerous tumor of the breast and

• no children, or having children at an older age (over 35)

It is necessary to avoid the use of deodorant, powder, cream, lotion, or perfume on the upper body or underarm area the day of the mammogram to assure the best results from the exam. It is best not to wear jewelry around the neck. Since it is necessary to disrobe from the waist up for the exam, wearing a two-piece outfit rather than a dress or jumpsuit is recommended. A patient gown is worn with the opening in the front; the gown then can be separated to expose one breast at a time for the exam.

Getting a mammogram is easy. Many mammography centers have health education videos, and exam models to explain what will be done. You will usually tell your personal health history to a nurse or technician, be brought to a changing room, and from there go to the nearby test room. The machine is large with a platform for your breast. The helper will place your breast here and apply another tray on the breast to press it gently out for a flatter x-ray. This may be uncomfortable, but it allows the x-ray to see more of the tissue deep within your breast. Two or three different views of each breast are taken to check the whole breast. The x-rays are read by a radiologist, and the results are reported to your provider.

Consult the UI Health Care Cancer Information Service for more information about this topic.

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