Questions About Mammography

The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age regardless of family history. Mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. The American College of Radiology recommends annual screenings on all women starting at age 40.

Many deodorants and antiperspirants contain aluminum. Aluminum can look like microcalcifications, which are small deposits of calcium that can indicate a problem in the breast tissue. To avoid false positive or missed abnormalities in the breast, it is best to avoid applying deodorant.

One to two weeks after your period starts as the breasts can be tender and more sensitive during your menstrual cycle.

Mammography is still the gold standard in finding breast cancer. Ultrasound cannot show microcalcifications, one of the most common findings on mammography in diagnosing breast cancer.

Ultrasound is a supplemental test that works very well in conjunction with mammography.

The breast is compressed to reduce the thickness of the breast, which then lowers the amount of radiation required to achieve a clear x-ray image. For women over age 40 the benefits of early detection of breast cancer outweigh the risks of the radiation exposure.

There is no established age for women to stop mammogram screening. The American College of Radiology recommends women continue to screen for as long as they are healthy. The decision to stop routine screenings should be made on an individual basis by each woman and her physician as it will vary based on overall health.

If you have breast implants, you should still get regular screening mammograms (unless you had both breasts removed with a bilateral mastectomy before getting the implants). It is important that your technologist is aware you have implants prior to starting the exam. To help the radiologist see as much breast tissue as possible, women with implants have 4 extra images done in addition to the 4 standard images. In these extra images, called implant displaced views, the implant is pushed back against the chest wall and the natural breast tissue is pulled forward and compressed. This will allow better imaging of the natural breast tissue.

Women with a pacemaker or implanted cardioverter/defibrillator can still have a mammogram. Telling your technologist before the exam is important, allowing the technologist to properly position the patient for the exam. Neither device will be damaged by the mammogram.

Mammograms are done by a board certified technologist called a mammographer. Mammographers are specially trained to perform the exam using the least amount of radiation exposure and then review the images for appropriate positioning. Your mammographer though, is not qualified to diagnose and is not permitted to discuss what is seen on a mammography image. A board certified radiologists will be doing the actual interpretation of the images.

Women of average risk should start screening mammograms at age 40. High risk patients may start screening at an earlier age and should discuss options with their doctor.

A screening mammogram is the appropriate exam for an asymptomatic woman. A diagnostic mammogram is a specialized exam for women who present with a problem such as a breast lump, nipple discharge, focal pain (generalized breast pain in both breasts is very common and done as a screening), skin changes or dimpling, or additional imaging following an abnormal screening mammogram. The diagnostic mammogram is commonly done in conjunction with a breast ultrasound.