| When my grandmother, who lives in Arizona, had a | | | | it is best to have them both. |
| mammogram, the doctors detected breast cancer. | | | | While routine self breast exams (checking your own |
| Fortunately, because they caught it in the early stages, | | | | breasts for changes and lumps) are important, they |
| they were able to successfully treat it. If you are | | | | should not replace regular exams by a doctor. Some |
| wondering whether or not you should have a | | | | lumps and alterations in your breasts are |
| mammogram, here is some information to help you | | | | normal--resulting from menstrual cycles, pregnancy, |
| decide. | | | | menopause, aging, birth control, and/or other |
| A mammogram utilizes safe low-dose amplitude | | | | hormones--but if you notice anything that seems to be |
| X-rays in order to examine the breast for cancer. The | | | | out of the ordinary, you should contact your doctor |
| results are recorded on a computer, and radiologists | | | | immediately. |
| then study the images for abnormalities. | | | | Some clinics recommend that women aged forty and |
| Mammography allows doctors to detect changes in | | | | older should have a mammogram every one to two |
| breast tissue that may not be noticed during a regular | | | | years, while the Unites States Preventive Services |
| breast exam. | | | | Task Force suggests this for women fifty and older. If |
| Having a clinical breast exam along with a | | | | there is a history of breast cancer in your family, you |
| mammogram is the best way to detect breast cancer | | | | may want to have them done earlier or more |
| early. Some cancers will not be detected in a breast | | | | frequently. |
| exam but will be in a mammogram, and vice versa, so | | | | |