Who needs a mammogram?

The American Cancer Society recommends a baseline mammogram for all women between ages 35 and 40 and yearly mammograms after age 40.

Women with a family history of breast cancer may need to start screening sooner. If you have a strong family history of breast cancer, ask your doctor when you should start getting regular mammograms.

Any woman is eligible for a screening mammogram if she meets the following criteria:

A. Age 40 and older
B. Is not pregnant
C. Is not currently experiencing any breast symptoms, such as lumps or breast pain*
D. Has not had a mammogram within the past 12 months

*If you answer is “yes” to C, a diagnostic mammography is needed.

What is a mammogram?

Mammography is a specific type of imaging that uses a low-dose x-ray system to examine breasts. A mammogram is used to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women.

An x-ray (radiograph) is a non-invasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Imaging with x-rays involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce images of the inside of the body.

Digital mammography is a system where the x-ray film is replaced by a high quality digital image on a computer screen, similar to that produced by a digital camera. These images can be printed on special film similar to conventional mammograms. From the patient’s point of view, having a digital mammogram is essentially the same as having a conventional film screen mammogram.

Why have a mammogram?

Mammography plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers because it can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them.

Diagnostic mammography is used to evaluate a patient with abnormal clinical findings – such as breast lumps – that have been found by the woman or her doctor. Diagnostic mammography may also be done after an abnormal screening mammography in order to evaluate the area of concern on the screening exam.