One out of every eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer sometime in her lifetime. Early detection and treatment better the chances of a patient being cured. In addition to a breast self-exam, a mammogram is one way for a woman to detect breast cancer in the early stage.
Mammograms are a safe and simple X-ray procedure that creates an image of the breast. This exam includes a minimum of two X-ray views of each breast. By compressing the breast tissue to separate overlapping tissue, a clear image is created. This enhances the chances of locating potential problems of the breast. Pattie A. Clay offers a softer mammogram to enhance patient comfort as well as digital mammography.
Mammograms are X-rays of breast tissue—they are used for early detection of breast cancer and diagnosis of other breast conditions. They can detect a cancerous lump when it is the size of a pinhead—about two years before it can be felt.
Age Guidelines for Mammography Screening
Mammography screening should be combined with monthly self-exams and regular examinations by your doctor. Here are general age guidelines for breast care.
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Age
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Type Of Examination
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20-35
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Monthly self-examination
Physical examination by a health professional every three years
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35-40
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Monthly self-examination
Annual breast examination by a health professional
Baseline mammogram
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40-49
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Monthly self-examination
Annual examination by a health professional
Mammogram every one to two years or as recommended by your physician
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50 or older
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Monthly self-examination
Annual examination by a health professional
Annual mammogram
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Mammography is performed to screen healthy women for signs of breast cancer. It is also used to evaluate a woman who has symptoms of a breast disease such as a lump, nipple discharge, breast pain, dimpling of the skin on the breast or retraction of the nipple. Mammograms are recommended for many reasons, including for women over the age of 40, those with a personal or family history of breast cancer and those who have never had children.
At the Pattie A. Clay Breast Center, technologists are registered and have specialized certification in mammography. Patients with an abnormal mammogram or breast lump are evaluated within days by a physician specializing in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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