News From Brem Foundation

Every woman over the age of 40 should have a mammogram every year. Women who have yearly mammograms benefit from earlier detection of breast cancer and improved survival. It is true that a mammogram will not protect you from breast cancer, but it will give women the opportunity to have the best chance for a cure should they develop breast cancer. It is important to remember that breast cancer is a curable disease with a greater than 90% survival when it is diagnosed in its early stages. Therefore, we owe it to ourselves to do everything we can to have the best opportunity for a cure.

It is important to realize that there are different types of mammograms. Yes, we are increasingly hearing about the new digital mammography, and we will explain that further in another newsletter. But in this newsletter, I would like to review the different types of mammograms your health care provider can order and what it means to you.

If you have no signs or symptoms of breast cancer, that is no new or unusual lumps, no nipple discharge, and no new "lesions" on the breast and there is no dimpling or change in your breasts then you might be sent for a "Screening" Mammogram. In general, in a screening examination a technologist will review your mammograms for quality prior to your leaving the imaging facility. However, the radiologist will likely review your mammograms sometime later and you will get the result in the mail or by phone. Most women are eligible for a screening mammogram, but it is important to realize that 5-15% of women who undergo a screening mammogram will be called back for additional views. If you are asked to return for more imaging it does not mean you have breast cancer or in fact any problem. It might only mean that the interpreting radiologist needs some more images to clarify whether an area looks as it does do to a mass or due to overlapping normal breast tissue. Sometimes that can only be differentiated with more imaging. Therefore, if you are called back the first thing is not to panic or be distressed. Just make the appointment as soon as you can in order to clear things up. In the vast majority of the time, the additional imaging will demonstrate that everything is fine.

A Diagnostic Mammogram is quite different from a screening mammogram. Yes, the equipment is the same and the first 4 images are the same. However, if you have any sign or symptom of breast cancer you must get a diagnostic mammogram, as you will not be eligible for a screening examination. During a diagnostic examination the technologist takes the initial 4 images and assesses them for technical factors. The images are then immediately reviewed by the radiologist. If any additional imaging is needed, it will be obtained right then and there. If an ultrasound is needed, it too, should be done at that same visit. So, a diagnostic or comprehensive mammogram is just that, comprehensive! It is also one stop shopping and all the imaging is done at that initial visit. There is no calling back of patients.

Both screening and diagnostic mammograms result in a significant improvement in survival in women with breast cancer due to the earlier diagnosis. However, they are different exams, are appropriate for different women and are performed differently. Both are important aspects of women's health and regardless of which type of exam your health care provider orders, the most important thing is to make sure that you go for your mammogram annually.