Editor’s Note: Lynda is a Mammographer at Woodlawn Health.
Pink ribbons and orange pumpkins have become symbols of October. We know that this month is Breast Cancer Awareness, and if you are a female over 40, this is your friendly reminder to schedule your mammogram. (The good news is that you can have a mammogram all year, not just in October.)
So why get a yearly mammogram every year after 40? Beyond a recommendation by the medical community, we know that when we find breast cancer in its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate is 98%. When we wait and find breast cancer in its advanced stages, when it has traveled to other parts of the body, the 5-year survival rate drops to 27%.
We know that getting a mammogram can be a scary experience and sometimes is not comfortable. Still, excellent professionals are working hard to make this experience positive. Generally, we take at least two pictures of each breast to see all the tissue in two separate planes.
Sometimes, we avoid medical care because we do not want to get bad news. However, about 85-90% of screening mammograms are normal. That’s great news! Your Dr. will receive a detailed report from the Radiologist, and you will receive a letter from the imaging facility with your results. Your next step will be to continue monthly self-breast exams and return for your next annual mammogram in one year. About 10-15% of screening mammograms will have recommendations to return for a diagnostic mammogram (call-back), which could also include an ultrasound. Most of these cases turn out to be normal. Less than 10% will result in cancer.
So, if you have not scheduled your mammogram this year, please do so.
