The Importance of an Annual Mammogram

By: Bizymoms.com Management
Mammogram is probably the most important tool used to diagnose or detect breast cancer. Mammogram is an x-ray of the breast, which detects changes, irregularities, lumps and tumors. It can also find micro calcifications (very small deposits of calcium) in the breast, which sometimes can lead to breast cancer. Mammogram is a safe procedure, and has been successfully used for the past 30 years or more

.Studies suggest that over 25-35% of women between 40-50 years of age have been able to lower the risk of dying from breast cancer as a result of taking adequate precautionary measures by going through the mammogram procedure and diagnosing early. Detecting breast cancer early with a mammogram also means women being treated early and thereby been able to avoid resorting to breast removal (Mastectomy – surgery to remove the breast).

Women quite often avoid getting a mammogram done due to the discomfort during procedure. Generally this procedure takes about 5-10 minutes and pain is minimum and with a small amount of radiation. As lumps and tumors at an early stage is painless, and the patient does not feel any discomfort, the doctors recommend that a mammogram be done annually. This is very important, so that, if and when there is an abnormality in the breast, it could be detected early and proper medication and treatment could be done to avoid disaster. For this reason, women are advised to take this matter seriously so that the mammogram is done regularly. According to research one in every seven women are detected with breast cancer if they live to the age of 80, at some stage in their lives. Thus every woman should make it a priority in their lives to make every endeavor to see that they look after their health, so that this dreaded disease could be minimized. After all, it is every woman’s duty towards their family as a woman, wife and mom.Over the past 25 years, with advancement in mammography, it has been made possible to detect tissue abnormalities in the breast. This is known as DCIS. (It is found in the milk duct of the breast). DCIS does not usually form a lump thereby it can go undetected during breast examination. With mammography 80% of DCIS cases have been detected and treated successfully.Why is it important that a mammogram is done and who are more at risk of developing breast cancer?

• Women who have been diagnosed before and treated are likely to develop a second breast cancer.

• Family history.

• Genetic changes (BRCA1, BRCA2)

• Menstrual at an early age or late menopause

• Breast density

• Excessive radiation or x-ray therapy to the breast

• Over-weight or obese

• AlcoholKeep in mind, that the discomfort during a mammogram is a small price to pay, when considering the harm and disaster one could face if and when diagnosed with breast cancer.
BizyMoms is bringing quality expert information on many topics of high interest to the mom community.

Visit BizyMoms' Expert Corner today for help and advice from skilled professionals. BizyMoms is proud to introduce Laney Cummings as an expert in Breast Cancer.
Article Source: http://greatarticlesformoms.com
This article can be printed in it’s entirety as long the author's bio box is intact and all links are live and clickable. Author reserves sole ownership of the article.