Getting a Mammogram: When You Should Do It And Why

Mammograms are a key part of any mature woman’s health routine. The importance of mammograms is indispensable in early diagnoses of breast cancer, especially considering that 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer at some point in their lifetime.

Because the risk of breast cancer increases as a woman ages, women are eligible for mammogram screening starting at the age of 40. In fact, age is the greatest predictor of a woman’s possibility of developing breast cancer. Another factor affecting the incidence of breast cancer is breast density. The milk-producing and connective tissue of the breast can be dense, meaning that they appear white on a mammogram. While there is nothing medically concerning about dense breast tissue, having a higher proportion of dense breast tissue makes it very hard to see tumors in the tissue, as tumors also appear white on a mammogram. Breast density can only be evaluated via an x-ray or mammogram; breast density is not something that can be felt (firm breasts are not an indicator of breast density).

Some women with a history of breast cancer choose to get tested for the BRCA2 gene, which is a gene mutation that is linked to breast and ovarian cancer. The statistics are quite shocking: about 72% of women who inherit a BRCA1 mutation develop breast cancer. Doctors recommend getting tested for the BRCA mutation if you have a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer (diagnosed at a young age), or if you’re of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.

If you’re at the recommended age for mammograms, it’s best to go to a facility that specializes in mammograms. Schedule it the week before your menstrual cycle begins to reduce the possibility of any breast tenderness or swelling which will improve the picture quality. Before this type of imaging test, notify your doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

The procedure begins as a special X-ray machine lowers a plate from above and compresses the breast for a few seconds. The same procedure is repeated on the other side, and the results are given out within a few weeks. If anything suspect is detected, you may need to return for a breast biopsy. There’s no need to be alarmed, as your doctor will take you through the process step by step!