Questions and Answers What is breast cancer? What causes breast cancer and how likely am I to develop breast cancer? What is the survival rate for breast cancer? How is breast cancer treated? How is breast cancer detected? What is a mammogram? Is mammogram dangerous? How is mammography performed? How can I find a mammography center in my area? How much does a mammogram cost? If I have breast implants do I still need to have a mammogram? Should I be concerned if my doctor tells me I need to have a breast biopsy? How is a breast biopsy performed? Is a breast biopsy dangerous? How will I know the results of my breast biopsy?

Methods for detection of breast cancer include breast self-examinations, clinical examinations by a healthcare professional, and mammography. In most cases, mammography can identify an abnormal breast mass as much as two years before it can be detected by touch. Although breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer, the rate of deaths from breast cancer has declined in recent years. It is believed that early detection and treatment of breast cancers is the key to successful treatment and survival.

The American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines for detecting breast cancer:

All women aged 20 or older should perform breast self-examination every month.

Between the ages of 20 and 39, women should have a clinical breast exam by a healthcare professional every 3 years.

Women aged 40 and older should have a screening mammogram and a clinical breast exam by a healthcare professional every year.

A mammogram is an x-ray examination of the breasts, used to detect and diagnose breast diseases.

Screening mammography is used as a preventive measure for women who have no symptoms of breast disease. A screening mammogram usually involves two views of each breast. Although physicians routinely order mammograms for their patients as part of a preventive health maintenance program, women can request and receive a screening mammogram from any mammography facility without a referral from a physician.

Diagnostic mammography involves additional views of the breast, and is used when an abnormality is found during screening, or in women who have breast complaints, such as a breast mass, nipple discharge, breast pain, or skin irritation.

(See Screening Procedures)

Today's mammography units use very low doses of radiation to produce high-quality x-rays, making this a very safe procedure.

In addition, in 1992 Congress passed the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA). This act established a set of rigorous guidelines for mammography safety. To receive certification by the FDA, a mammography facility must conform to these guidelines that assure that mammography systems are safe and use low doses of radiation. Before you have a mammogram, ask to see the facility's FDA certificate.

Mammograms are performed using equipment specially designed to take x-rays of the breast. When a mammogram is performed, the woman must undress above the waist and wear a wrap provided by the mammography facility. A technologist will position the breast on the mammography unit and use a paddle to compress the breast. The breast is compressed to spread the tissue apart and allow the maximum amount of tissue to be imaged and reduce radiation dose. The compression lasts just a few seconds. Once the breast is positioned appropriately, the technologist will step behind a screen and take the x-ray images. The x-ray films will be developed and examined before you leave the facility, to assure that the quality and positioning are acceptable.

A radiologist will read the films and results of the mammogram will be forwarded to the patient by the mammography facility.

This website provides general information only. A physician should be contacted if you need any medical advice or if medical decisions need to be made.