If there’s one woman health screening that is critically important to undergo, it
will be the mammogram exam. According to reports, mammography has helped reduce
breast cancer mortality in the US by almost 1/3 since 1990. For every 1,000
women who have taken the mammogram screening, 100 are recalled to get more
mammography or ultrasound images, 20 are advised to have needle biopsy and 5
are diagnosed with breast cancer. Based on this data, it cannot be emphasized
enough that having a mammogram text is extremely important. It helps save
lives!
What Is Mammogram?
A mammogram is a specific type of breast
exam used to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. It can
be used to check for breast cancer in women who have no symptoms or signs of
the disease. This quick medical examination uses a non-invasive x-ray targeted
to each breast, producing two images that the doctor can use to determine if
there are abnormal areas, indicating the presence of cancer. The x-ray pictures
produced from the mammogram screening Singapore
make it possible to detect tumours that cannot be felt.
Aside from early detection, mammogram can
also be used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other symptom of the
disease has been found. This type of exam is called a diagnostic mammogram. Breast cancer lump is one of the most
common signs of the said ailment. Other symptoms include breast pain,
thickening of the breast skin, nipple discharge and change of breast shape or
size. A diagnostic mammogram may also be used to evaluate changes found during
the mammogram screening.
Why Mammogram Screening Is Important?
Being able to detect cancer in its early
stages when it is most treatable is the main purpose of mammogram screening. Early detection means that treatment can be
started earlier in the course of the disease before it will spread. Mammogram
can also prevent the need for extensive treatment for advanced cancers and
improve chances of breast conservation. Based on some clinical trials and
studies, the screening can help reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer
among women age 40 to 74, specifically those who are over age 50.
But even though mammogram can help
identify malignant tumours that cannot be felt, treating a small tumour does
not always imply or guarantee that the woman will not die from the cancer. For
instance, a fast-growing or aggressive cancer may have already spread
throughout to other parts of the body before it is detected. Thus, women should
undergo a mammogram screening even if there are no signs of the disease.
How Often Should You Have A Mammogram Screening?
The frequency of taking a mammogram screening varies from one
woman to another. Those who are placed in a high risk category of the disease
are usually advised to undergo a screening more regularly and starting from an
earlier age. A high risk can be due to personal history of breast or ovarian
cancer, genetic or family history, and significant exposure to chest radiation.
So, if you think you may be at increased risk of getting this ailment, it is of
substantial importance to speak with your doctor who may refer a specialist to
assess you.
The National Institute for Health and
Care Excellence (NICE) has set out guidelines so women can determine which
category they belong based on their risk.
●
Low risk - Women age
between 50 and 70 should have routine mammograms every three years.
●
Moderate to high risk -
Women from the age of 40 must undergo routine yearly mammogram screening.
●
High risk - For women
under the age of 40, yearly MRI scans starting at 30 is highly recommended.
●
Significantly increased
risk - Women from the age of 20 carrying the TP53 mutation and from the age of
30 carrying the BRCA1/2 mutation must do yearly MRI scans.
