Mammograms save lives! Part 3

It is a surprising fact that 1 out of 8 women will develop Cancer of the breast during their lives. Early detection is our best defense.

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!

Mammograms Do Save Lives! Part 1

It is a startling fact that 1 out of 8 women will develop Breast Cancer in their lifetime. Early detection is our best defense.

I specialized in Mammography for 25 years. This exam is possibly the most hated by women. Unfortunately, it's all we have for now.It's the only exam that will detect early stage Breast Cancer. Many patients experience pain and discomfort from the compression of the breast, but firm compression is most important.

The purposes of firm compression are to stabilize and separate the breast tissue to see it more clearly. It also thins the breast, resulting in a lower dose of radiation. I went to a seminar, and they presented two exams on the same patient. One with light compression, and one with firm compression. The light one was read as normal, but the firm one clearly showed a cancerous area. Scary!!

Another reason for firm compression is to minimize motion. Think of a photograph with something moving during the picture. What happens? You guessed it! Blurring occurs causing loss of detail. This is why X-Ray techs say "hold your breath!"

A routine Mammogram consists of 4 images, 2 views of each breast. This is necessary to localize a suspicious area. Extremely large breasted women require more images because their breasts are too large for the film! Breast implant patients require 8 images. The first 4 images are the standard views, mostly to see the axillary (armpit) area and the overall condition of the implant itself. The other 4 images are referred to as 'push back' views. The implant is 'pushed back' and only the breast tissue is compressed and imaged.

You should get your first (screening) Mammogram at age 40. Your 'risk factors' determine how often you should have one. It is important to make prior Mammograms available for the Radiologist to compare the images. He can detect changes in the tissue and respond more accurately. You might have a 'suspicious' area that would result in a 'call back' for additional views, but if a Prior Mammogram showed the same thing and it is unchanged, then you would not have to get the additional views.

Risk factors are:
1) Family history of breast cancer
2) Early menses (started your period before age 12)
3) Late menapause
4) Hormone replacement therapy
5) Long term use of birth control pills

The Environment and a poor diet have also been linked to breast cancer. You should eat a Healthy Diet to help lower your breast cancer risk. Sadly, we can't avoid the environment!

If you are in the normal risk factor range, you should get your first Mammogram at age 40. Follow up every 2 years until you are 50. After that, once a year is the standard for all women.

Your risk factor is even higher if your mother, maternal aunt, sister or grandmother had Premenapausal (younger than age 50) Breast cancer. This is a more aggressive form due to hormones accelerating its' growth. In this case I would recommend your first Mammogram at age 35 and have yearly follow-ups.

Before you have your Mammogram, make sure the facility and the Radiologist are Accredited! You will receive the best quality because they have to follow strict guidelines on a daily basis.

If you have tender breasts, try cutting back on caffeine and take a daily dose of Vitamin E. This has been proven to decrease sensitivity in your breast.

Please get a Mammogram! Your loved ones will appreciate it!