A mammogram is only to show the early stages of Breast Cancer. Other tests such as nuclear medicine, ultrasound and MRI are performed after a breast mass is found.
Let's say that you were 'reminded' after your mammogram for microcalcifications. Additional views appear suspicious. What's next? Two things will happen.
(1) Needle (stereo tactic biopsy) biopsy
(2) Location of surgery followed by needle
Stereo tactical biopsy (it is what I had!) is done by a radiologist in the Department of mammography. You are lying on your stomach on a table with a hole in it. The hole is where your chest! All the work is done under the table.They numb your breast, and needle captures calcifications and removes them from your chest. A pathologist will test the fabric for a malignant tumor.
Needle localization is made also by a radiologist in the Department of mammography. You can stand or sit during this procedure.They numb your breast, and a needle is placed to locate the area of calcification. You will then go to the surgery and the surgeon will remove the fabric around the needle. The fabric is returned to the Department of mammography images. This ensures that the suspicious area is removed.
A breast mass that can be felt does'nt require localization procedures. The surgeon can remove easily.
I'm sure you've heard stories where a woman had a mammogram and 6 months later, she completely had Breast Cancer. One of the reasons for this is that it could have been pre-menapausal and the accelerated growth of its hormones. It is a very aggressive type of breast cancer.
My worst that still makes me cry is a 32 y/o pregnant women who developed cancer of the breast mass. I photographed her breasts (protecting pregnant with a lead apron belly) and she had a biopsy. Is clever and 5 months later it had to abort her baby, and she died.Its pregnancy hormones fed the cancer and it spread quickly. That will stay with me for the rest of my life.
What happens if the biopsy is positive (malignant)? Your choice is:
(1) Lumpectomy (remove massive zone only) with possible chemotherapy and radiotherapy. You'll narrow Mammographic followed for several years.
(2) Radical mastectomy (complete removal of the breast and axillary lymph nodes). Lymph nodes are tested for malignancy. These results will determine your Radiation treatments or chemotherapy.
You will be followed around the remaining chest.
If the biopsy is negative (benign) you will have a month 6 follow-up to the breast affected, if everything is as well, you will return to your normal mammogram schedule.
Breast Cancer is not for women only. In my career, I saw several men with Breast Cancer. They had mastectomies and a breast mammogram each year. Men do not know to examine themselves. In most cases, their wives are the bump and sent to the doctor!
A man, that I remember was a great nice guy. When I compressed his chest he offered to help. He pushed the compression paddle down itself! On its outcome, it fixed our creaking door!
It was a hoot!
Please, a mammogram according to your risk factors, practice self-examination breast and each year, see your doctor. Your loved ones will appreciate!