Mammography Linda Haun Bryan Medical Center Mammography Coordinator

Breast Health Breast Awareness Clinical Breast Exam Mammography

Breast Awareness Become familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel so that if changes occur, you can report them to your doctor right away. Breast Self-exams

Breast Self-Exams Check each breast all over and include the armpit. Use your finger pads and move them in a small circular motion using different amounts of pressure (light, medium, and deep) to feel the entire breast. Look at your breast in front of a mirror to check for any changes in how your breasts look or for dimpling of the skin.

Breast Self-Exams Plan to examine your breasts at the same time every month. If you think you have found a lump or change, see your doctor. Most breast lumps are not cancer, but you won’t know if you don’t ask.

Clinical Breast Exams You’ll need to see your doctor or nurse for a clinical breast exam. All women in their 20s and 30s should have a breast exam as part of their regular health checkups at least every 3 years. After the age of 40, have a breast exam every year.

Mammogram Breast Cancer can occur at any age, but it is more likely to occur after age 40 and as you get older. Bryan Medical Center and The American Cancer Society advise you to have a yearly mammogram beginning at age 40.

What is a Screening Mammogram? A screening mammogram is a safe, low-dose x-ray of the breast used to detect breast cancer early. A mammogram can find breast cancer that is too small for you or your doctor to feel.

No one in my family has ever had breast cancer. Do I still need a mammogram? It is true that family history is a risk factor for breast cancer, but 85 percent of women who get breast cancer have no family history. All women should take advantage of mammography screening.

What should I expect when I get a mammogram? Patient history Images are taken with compression. This is a plastic paddle that comes down on the breast to spread the tissue to an even density. This kind of compression, while briefly uncomfortable, is necessary for an accurate mammogram and less radiation. Compression isn’t dangerous. It doesn’t damage breast tissue in any way. Compression produces no long-term discomfort.

A trick to make it more comfortable The discomfort of bothersome, mild aching can be relieved with Ibuprofen (Nurofen, Advil, Motrin) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you’re not allergic to these medications. You may also consider using a Mammo pad during the imaging. Eliminate or reduce caffeine prior to your exam. Schedule your mammogram when breasts are the least tender.

Digital Mammography All of the Bryan Medical Center locations have full field digital mammography. 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) is the latest innovation that developed out of digital mammography. We have this technology at our Pine Lake Campus.

3D Principle of Operation X-ray tube moves in an arc across the breast A series of low dose images are acquired from different angles Projection images are reconstructed into 1 mm slices Compression Paddle Compressed Breast Detector Housing Reconstructed Slices { Arc of motion of x-ray tube, showing individual exposures oFgb64

40% more invasive cancers found over 2D Mammo- graphy Up to a 40% reduction in recall rates, decreasing patient anxiety Better visualization of masses, distortions and asymmetric densities Virtually eliminates overlapping structures in the breast

After the Imaging The radiologist interprets your mammogram, usually using computer aided detection (CAD). It is a sophisticated tool that assists radiologists by providing a computerized second review of your mammogram. It’s like a spell check for medicine. Your physician gets the medical report and you get the results in terms you can understand.

Take a few minutes for a lifetime