Breast Cancer Screening Can Save Lives
10/1/2021
By Mohsen Ghadimi-Mahani, M.D.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month—the perfect time to discuss the importance of mammography. Because breast cancer is often detectable in its early stages when there’s a good chance for a cure, breast cancer screening is essential to early detection.
Most significantly, mammography is an important line of defense against breast cancer because it can identify tumors even before they can be felt.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. It is also one of the leading causes of cancer death among women of all races. In 2021, an estimated 281,550 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 43,600 women will die from the disease.
The American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging recommend annual mammograms for women starting at age 40, with no upper age limit as long as the woman is in good health. Different guidelines apply to women at higher risk. A screening mammogram can help detect breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages.
If a woman is at high risk for developing breast cancer, her doctor may recommend screening at a younger age, along with additional imaging studies.
The A.R. Sanchez Sr. & Iris Stewart Cancer Treatment Center at Laredo Medical Center is proud to offer a variety of breast cancer screening techniques. The Commission on Cancer (CoC), a quality program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has granted three-year accreditation to Laredo Medical Center’s Cancer Center.
Screening and Diagnostic Mammography
A conventional screening mammogram is a low-dose X-ray test that creates images of breast tissue so doctors can check for lesions or other abnormalities. The x-ray images make it possible to detect tumors that cannot be felt, and can find microcalcifications, tiny deposits of calcium, that sometimes indicate the presence of breast cancer.
A mammogram used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other sign or symptom of the disease is called a diagnostic mammogram. Besides a lump, signs of breast cancer can include breast pain, thickening of the skin of the breast, nipple discharge, or a change in breast size or shape; however, these signs may also be signs of benign or non-cancerous breast conditions.
Digital Mammography
At Laredo Medical Center, women who undergo routine mammograms also have up-to-date diagnostic technology available with digital mammography.
While digital imaging feels almost identical to conventional mammography, its benefits are a shorter exam time than traditional mammograms, and less chance that patients will be called back for repeat exams.
Digital images tend to provide doctors with better visibility of the breast, chest wall and dense breast tissue. Through computer-aided technology, radiologists are able to enhance certain areas of the digital images to get a more precise picture of a patient’s condition. The digital images can also be stored electronically, and later retrieved to share with other doctors if needed in the future.
To minimize any discomfort of the mammogram, Laredo Medical Center offers soft foam pads which serve as a cushion between a woman’s breast and the mammography machine, resulting in a warmer and more comfortable mammogram. Although compression is still required, the pads provide an extra level of cushion for the patient.
Digital Computer-Aided Detection
To supplement this diagnostic technology, Laredo Medical Center has a digital computer-aided detection (CAD) system which highlights common characteristics of breast cancer, including masses, clusters of microcalcifications and breast tissue changes.
For women with private insurance, the cost of screening mammograms is usually covered without copayments or deductibles, but women should contact their mammography facility or health insurance company for confirmation. In addition, Medicare pays for annual screening mammograms for all female Medicare beneficiaries age 40 or older.
During the month of October, Laredo Medical Center is offering a special mammogram offer for only $99. Women must be uninsured, age 40 or older and know the date of their last mammogram. For more information and/or to pre-register, call (956) 796-3729.
The professionals at Laredo Medical Center are ready to provide the breast screening technique that is appropriate for the individual woman. Visit https://www.laredomedical.com/cancer-care-services to learn more about our cancer services and articles on breast health or call (956) 796-4767.
Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information to facilitate conversations with their physician.
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