1. This is the most important thing: have a yearly mammogram if you are over 40 years old or have a family history of breast cancer.
2. Go to an X-ray facility that regularly performs mammograms (at least 3-5 per day). This ensures that they have adequate experience in regularly dealing with mammograms. Ask to see their FDA certificate – this shows if they have met high quality professional standards.
3. Go to the same facility each year, if you are happy with the quality they provide. This way it is much more likely that the same people will look at your mammograms each year, and this makes comparing x-rays from prior years much more easy. If you go to a new facility, take copies of your old mammograms to the new place so they can easily compare the x-rays.
4. Medicare, Medicaid and most health insurance plans usually cover the costs of a mammogram up to a certain percentage. Low-cost mammograms are made available in some areas by the American Cancer Society.
5. Every mammogram facility must send your results to you within 30 days. If they find a problem they are to notify you within 5 days. Call your physician or the x-ray facility if you don’t get your results within these time frames.
6. Less than 1% of mammograms will lead to cancer (only 2 to 4 out of 1000). 10% of all women may require a second mammogram – and only 8-10% of these women will need a biopsy. 80% of those biopsies will not be cancer.
7. You will have to undress down to your waist, but a wrap or gown should be provided for you.
8. Things that may interfere with a good mammogram are: deodorant, powders or creams under the arms. Avoid these things before a mammogram if you can.
9. Most mammogram x-ray technologists are women. The technologist will be the only one present during most of your mammogram.
10. Most mammograms take about 20 minutes to perform, including 2 views of each breast. There may be discomfort during the breast compression x-ray. Try not to schedule a mammogram during the week of your period. Let the technologist know immediately if there is pain during the procedure.

The summary is this: have regular, annual mammograms done each year!

Jonathan is a professional educator in the healthcare field with over 15 years of experience. You can visit his latest website which helps people find the best hair dryer for their needs, where you can learn about the Super Solano Hair Dryer.

There are no posts related to Ten Things Women Need to Know About Getting a Mammogram.

On Wednesday, the ACOG issued new guidelines that calling for mammograms to be done every year beginning at age 40. This is a departure from its former recommendations, which advised mammograms every one to 2 years beginning at 40 years old and then every year beginning at age 50, depending on the incidence of breast cancer in younger women and its typically speedier progression, guidelines co-author Dr. Jennifer Griffin explained.

The guidelines conflict with those issued in late 2009 by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which encouraged screening mammograms only each other year beginning at 50 years old because they can result in many false positive results, prompting unnecessary biopsies and extra tests.

“I think the main point we considered was that around 40,000 women yearly in their 40s are diagnosed with breast cancer, and about 20% of the women will die of it,” said Griffin, an assistant professor of OB/GYN at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. “Screening mammograms lower the risk of dying by 15%” in this population.

More than 207,000 U.S. women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2010, based on ACOG, and nearly 40,000 died from it. Breast cancer is the second most usual type of cancer in women in the U.S. after skin cancer. It may be determined by a mammogram while it is very tiny and before it grows large enough to become symptomatic.

A key factor in the ACOG suggestion is the lesser “sojourn time” — the period of time in which a breast cancer can be detected by a mammogram while it is still very small and before it gets big enough to result in symptoms — among younger women. Women aged 40 to 49 have a sojourn time of 2 to 2.4 years, the guidelines said, while those ages 50 to 59 have a sojourn time of 2.5 to 3.7 years, and women 70 to 74 have a sojourn time of 4 – 4.1 years.

“In these young patients, we have a smaller window because these cancers tend to grow faster, sooner,” said Dr. Lauren Cassell, chief of breast surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. “There are lots of patients who develop breast cancer between 40 and 50. The fear was we would miss these patients and see them at later stages.”

The American Cancer Society and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s screening recommendations are identical to ACOG’s new guidelines, while the National Cancer Institute calls for mammograms every one to 2 years beginning at 40 years old. In addition to concerns about fear-inducing false great results, some officials have expressed concerns about radiation emitted from mammography machines, which typically equals that of a round-trip transcontinental airline flight.

“Mammograms are stressful to patients because some require follow-up,” Cassell said. “But regrettably, to find the breast cancer patients, some are going to have false positives”­ At some level, I feel we must accept that.”

Some early, noninvasive breast cancers, known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), never progress to dangerous cases, Griffin acknowledged, and the detection of mammogram may provoke aggressive treatment that finally is unnecessary or dangerous.

But, “there’s not a lot of consensus exactly how many cancers might regress”­ and no way of knowing which ones might regress or progress,” she said. “It is true that some of them we detect wouldn’t progress.”
The possibility cost of mammograms was not taken into account in making the suggestions, Griffin said again, but that was also true of the 2009 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines. Overall, about 1,900 women aged 39 to 49 would have to be “invited for screening” (though some might decline) to save one woman in that age range from dying of breast cancer, the ACOG said.

“This is all depending on our best judgment with the best available proof,” Griffin said. “Women in their 40s typically have children, some have aged parents, many are active in the workforce. I do not think we can really underestimate the value of that one life saved.”

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and Society of Breast Imaging said they promoted the updated ACOG recommendations, noting that National Cancer Institute data show the U.S. breast cancer death rate — previously unchanged for 50 years — has dropped 37 percent since mammograms became widespread in 1990.

“I think not screening these patients yearly is taking a step backward,” said Dr. Donna Plecha, division chief of breast imaging at University Hospital’s Case Medical Center in Cleveland. “The cure rate of early breast cancer is in the high 90s (percent). So I believe that it’s sensible for patients in that age group to come in yearly.”

Breast Cancer Patients is a new star of Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Website, it will be to provide comprehensive breast cancer prevention knowledge and the latest breast cancer treatment information.

There are no posts related to Doctors Team Opposes U.S. Mammogram Recommendations.

Early detection of this cancer is the best weapon against it. Mammograms are the single most important test you can do to find breast tumors before they have the chance to become a dangerous cancer.

Having worked in hospital for many years, I realize the importance of regular annual cancer tests and screenings. I never want to hear another 5 year old ask her daddy, “Why isn’t mommy coming home from the hospital?” again. I never want to listen to a grieving grandmother as she has to say goodbye to her middle-aged daughter.

If for no other reason, ladies, please for the sake of those who love you so much, have an annual mammogram. Detect those abnormal breast lumps early. Get proper treatment early and defeat this terrible killer of a disease.

That is the gloomy sad part of this article. I hope it is enough motivation for all women to get their annual mammograms.

Here are some of the common reasons, or excuses, why women don’t schedule a regular x-ray.

“I don’t know where to get one.” This is easy. Call your doctor’s office and ask about it. Call your local hospital or local public health department. Any women’s health clinic will have information for you. Just ask.

“They are uncomfortable and embarrassing.” Yes it’s true that they are uncomfortable, and it may be embarrassing to undress and have your breasts squished into the mammography machine. However, the technician is almost always a female who can empathize with your situation.

“I’m afraid of what happens if they find something.” If the radiologist who exams the x-ray finds a mass or a suspicious area in your x-ray, they may require further x-rays to be taken. A doctor may remove a small amount of fluid, or a small sample from the suspicious area. Sometimes the doctor will require a biopsy. Remember that over 80% of lumps and suspicious areas found are not cancer.

If they do find something that is cancerous, then you should know that the earlier these are found, the better the chances of successful treatment.

Important facts to remember about mammograms and breast cancer. Early detection of cancer can save your life! Your risk for breast cancer increases with age. Most breast cancers occur after the age of 50. Most women who get breast cancer have no family history of it. Yearly mammograms are the best weapon against breast cancer.

Talk to your doctor about breast cancer, breast health and mammograms. You could save your life!

Jonathan is a professional educator in the healthcare field with over 15 years of experience. You can visit his latest website http://lgwashersanddryers.com which helps people learn about LG Washers and Dryers.

There are no posts related to Get a Mammogram - It Might Save Your Life, So Don't Let These Excuses Stop You.

A cancer is called a breast cancer in the case the cancer starts at the breast. It should be pointed out that it can also be establish in a mammogram, this is in the case a woman feels a lump on her breast or by the doctor’s assessment. It is essential for every woman to understand that it is truly important to do monthly self breast exams. As concerning women who are over 40 years old, they need to keep in mind that it is necessary to have a yearly check up to your doctor or a mammogram each year because breast cancer is prone to women with such age, not unlike with younger women, checkups are done less. You may wonder what is the reason for this. Actually, the reason for this is that after menopause, breast may either be lumpy or firm if you feel it, a woman who is already menopause has lesser estrogen. In other words it simply means that breast will feel much softer and will be less lumpy.

You should also know that the lumpy and firm tissue can in fact hide a lump that is small to make it hard to feel. If you do the breast checking every month you will be familiar with your breast’s tissue and in adding you will notice the changes that may occur in your breast. It is an significant fact to take into consideration that small lumps are found in a mammogram or by a doctor’s examination and some lumps are so small that only a mammogram can detect.

To go into more particulars there is a need to state that breasts are made of ducts and lobes. Each of the breasts has 15-20 sections or most commonly known in the medical field as lobes, that has many sections which are smaller (the lobules that have dozens of tiny bulbs which produces milk). The ducts are the one that links the lobes, lobules and the bulbs. Also, the breast has lymph and blood vessels.

Lymph is the lymph vessels carry an almost colorless fluid which and then these lymph vessels lead to lymph nodes. It should be pointed out that these lymph nodes are a small bean shaped structures that are found all over the body. It will be also helpful for you to ]know that the lymph node organs filter the substances in a fluid that is called the lymph that helps fight diseases and infections. You should also know that the clusters of lymph nodes are found under the arm called the axilla which is near the breast, in the chest above the collarbone.

The most common of breast cancer is Ductal carcinoma. As a matter of fact this kind of cancer begins in the cells of the ducts,the cancer of this kind is more often found in both breasts. This is besides the other unusual type of breast cancer that is called inflammatory breast cancer which gives the warm, red and swollen texture of the breast.

Hello, my name is Dan Atkins, I have worked from home for the last five years. I have an one online health and wellness business blog, and nine Squidoo lenses, five Hubpages and five Wetpaints. I enjoy Internet marketing and helping others to be successful in business. Sign-up and get your free information in “starting and marketing your own home based business.” http://danatkinsbiz.com “Success comes to those that get the most traffic.” To your phenomenal success, Dan Atkins danatkins62@yahoo.com

There are no posts related to Breast Cancer - The Number Two reason of Cancer Deaths amongst Women - Get More Informative Facts.

Or does it?

A recent study of mammography screening for breast cancer found that some invasive cancers might spontaneously regress over time, leaving no sign that they were ever present in a woman’s body.

This leaves us to question if breast cancer is over diagnosed, and therefore over treated.

The research, conducted by Norwegian scientists, used 119,472 female subjects aged 50 to 64 years, who underwent three rounds of mammography (one mammogram every two years) from 1996 to 2001 as part of the Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Program.

The cancer rates in this group were compared with the cancer rates of 109,784 control subjects who would have been screened if the program existed back in 1992. The control subjects were invited to have a one-time mammogram at the end of the observation period.

The team had expected that no matter when they were detected, the number of breast cancer tumors would ultimately be the same between the regularly screened group and the never screened controls.

As the researchers expected, the 4-year cumulative incidence of invasive breast cancer in the screened group was higher than in the non-screened control group – 1268 vs. 810 cases per one thousand women.

However, the surprise finding of the research was that even after the one time mammography was given to the previously unscreened control group, the six year cumulative incidence of breast cancer in the mammography screened group was still higher – 1909 vs. 1564 cases per one thousand women.

The study authors couldn’t explain this.

There were no obvious differences between the two groups, and since that all important cumulative incidence of cancer in the control group never reached, even after one time screening, the mammography screened group of subjects, it lends support to the idea that some cancers found on repeat scans wouldn’t show up on a single scan at the end of six years.

The study authors note, “This raises the possibility that the natural course of some screen-detected invasive breast cancers is to spontaneously regress.”

Perhaps as many as one in five cancers detected by mammogram might, in fact, spontaneously resolve.

And since two out of three breast cancer tumors are estrogen driven, the drop off of the hormone as women age and go through menopause suggests that cancer cells are naturally starved of the very hormone they need to grow and thrive.

The tumors might disappear altogether or shrink and lie dormant. The discontinuation of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as a treatment for menopausal symptoms and the dramatic decrease in breast cancer rates lends fuel to the idea that hormones may fuel the growth of some cancers.

While this study is absolutely not a recommendation to skip your yearly mammogram, it does raise an intriguing question about cancers that may resolve themselves… without our ever knowing or treating them.

“If the spontaneous remission hypothesis is credible, it could cause a major reevaluation in the approach to breast cancer research and treatment,” says cancer expert Dr. Robert M. Kaplan of the University of California, Los Angeles, and Dr. Franz Porzsolt, from the University of Ulm, Germany in a related story that appeared with the study.

In effect, it could in the future lead to an approach that is already used for a well known cancer in men, prostate cancer, where a “Watchful Waiting” approach is sometimes advised.
Next just head on over to the Daily Health Bulletin for more health tips on cancer like this one on breast cancer remission and get 5 free revealing health reports.

There are no posts related to Spontaneous Cancer Remission....

A lump that appears in the breast that feels at variance with the surrounding breast tissue is typically the first symptom or indication of the presence of breast cancer.

The prestigious Merck Manual has indicated that, in the vast majority of breast cancer cases, it is the woman herself who first discovers the presence of a lump. The first medical indication of breast cancer, as stated in the reviews of the American Cancer Society, is usually discovered when the patient is subjected to a mammogram upon the advice of her doctor. Another indicator of breast cancer is the presence of hardened tissue found in the lymph nodes located under the armpits or in the region of the collarbone.

Alterations in the size or shape of the breast, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, or discharge from a nipple may be regarded as alternative indications of the presence of breast cancer. The incidence of pain is not a reliable determinant for the presence of the cancer. Such an observation may in fact be more indicative of other breast related issues such as mastodynia.

An appearance that can resemble skin inflammation is caused when breast cancer cells attack the small lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. Such a characterisation is known as inflammatory breast cancer. The onset of pain and swelling, the presence of warmth and redness all across the breast, together with a skin texture which has the appearance of the outer skin of an orange, are all initial characteristics associated with inflammatory breast cancer.

Paget’s disease of the breast is yet another, somewhat complex, symptom. This syndrome, which refers to the association of several clinically recognizable features, presents skin changes which are synonymous with eczema, such as redness and mild flaking of the nipple skin. The presence of a tingling sensation, of itching, increased sensitivity, burning, and pain are all characteristics associated with the advance of Paget’s syndrome. Another symptom may involve a discharge from the nipple. It has been found that a good proportion of women diagnosed with Paget’s also experienced a lump in the breast.

There are times when breast cancer occurs as a metastatic disease. As such, it represents a cancer that has spread beyond the original source and into neighbouring areas. This type of breast cancer will give rise to symptoms that depend on where the metastasis is situated. The bone, liver, lung and brain are where Metastasis is most commonly found.

An occult breast cancer can sometimes manifest itself in the form of unexplained weight loss. Another symptom could present itself in the form of fevers or chills. Further determinants of metastatic breast cancer can take the form of bone or joint pains, as well as jaundice or possibly even neurological indications. It must be remembered that some of these symptoms are non specific, and as such may be applicable to many other illnesses.

In this respect, therefore, it has been found that many symptoms of breast disorder do not actually turn out to represent an underlying presence of breast cancer. To establish this notion, benign breast diseases, such as mastitis and fibroadenoma of the breast, are more common causes of breast disorder symptoms.

Since there is a distinct possibility of acquiring an underlying breast cancer at almost any age, then the appearance of a new symptom should be taken seriously by both patients and their doctors.

Breast Cancer – How To Succeed

Peter Radford writes Articles with Websites on a wide range of subjects. Breast Cancer Articles cover Background, Classification, Signs and Symptoms, Risk, Prevention, Treatment.

His Website contains a total of 41 Breast Cancer Articles, written by others and carefully selected.

View his Website at: breast-cancer-how-to-succeed.com

View his Blog at: breast-cancer-how-to-succeed.blogspot.com

There are no posts related to Breast Cancer - How to Succeed 2.