The Importance of Screening Mammography in Alamogordo

If you live in or around Alamogordo, NM, you may be familiar with the importance of regular breast cancer screenings, but how much do you know about screening mammography? Screening mammography refers to a special type of x-ray that can help doctors detect breast cancer and other types of abnormalities in women who don’t have any symptoms. Read on to learn more about screening mammography and why it’s so important to take advantage of this affordable service when offer at the Alamogordo Imaging Center.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a disease that begins when cells in a woman’s breast change and grow out of control. Cancer also can spread from where it began to other parts of your body. Almost all breast cancers begin with abnormal cells in ducts or lobules, or both, within your breast tissue. Because cancer begins slowly and cells grow and divide very quickly, tumors often develop before they are notice by you or your doctor. If left untreated, breast cancer can spread to other areas through your lymphatic system and blood vessels.

How common is breast cancer?

More than 200,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnose each year among U.S. women and more than 50,000 women die from breast cancer annually making it a major cause of cancer death among women in North America. But survival rates for breast cancer continue to improve due to earlier detection through screening mammography. For people age 40-49, the chance that a woman who has been diagnose with invasive breast cancer will be alive five years later is 93 percent compare to 81 percent 20 years ago. It’s no secret that being a woman increases your risk for developing breast cancer.

When should I start getting screen?

The American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 and older get a screening mammogram every year. You should also ask your doctor when you should start getting screen if you have risk factors, such as a family history of breast cancer. Women who are at increase risk may need to begin annual screenings earlier, or more frequently. Some people begin annual screenings as early as age 30, but it’s important to talk with your doctor about what’s right for you.

What do mammograms show?

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women get a screening mammogram every year beginning at age 40. Mammograms provide radiologic images to evaluate breast tissue for changes. Such as malignancies or benign growths, that are too small to be felt. Breast cancer is rare before age 40 and accounts for only about 1% of all breast cancers. However, older women have a higher risk of breast cancer than younger women and should continue to receive annual mammograms even after reaching age 70.

How do I prepare for my first mammogram?

If you’re getting your first mammogram, you probably have a lot of questions. What happens during a screening mammogram? How long does it take? Do I need to do anything special beforehand? While every practice is different, there are some basic things that you can do to prepare for your screening. In general, there are only three steps: schedule an appointment; gather information; and arrive early on exam day. These three steps should help get you ready for your first mammogram without too much stress.

What will happen during my first appointment?

At our office, we specialize in helping women who are at an increase risk for breast cancer. We will spend time with you to create a breast cancer screening plan that is personalize to your specific needs. You will also be assigned a dedicate Case Manager who will assist you throughout all stages of your care. Including scheduling and coordinating follow-up appointments and screening tests. The initial screening appointment may last up to 90 minutes depending on your individual case needs. A mammogram will be perform using state-of-the-art digital technology by skilled technicians certify by independent accreditation organizations such as ARRT or NMQAS. Additionally, Computer Aided Detection (CAD) is available on all mammography studies perform at the Alamogordo Imaging Center

What happens if I have a lump or something doesn’t look right?

If you notice a change in your breast, it’s important to have it checked. Most lumps found by women during self-exam are not cancerous and may be caused by a benign condition such as fibrocystic disease, but there is no way to know until you have it checked out. It’s also important to understand that finding an abnormal area does not necessarily mean you have cancer; some abnormalities can be due to harmless conditions such as benign cysts or fibroadenomas (noncancerous tumors). An evaluation by your health care provider will help determine if additional testing is needed.

Where can I find more information about breast cancer screening?

The American Cancer Society recommends women aged 40-44 have mammograms every one to two years and 45-54 have yearly mammograms. Older than that, it is recommend to see your primary care physician to discuss further testing, which could include a mammogram. To schedule an appointment at ASC Imaging Center, call (575) 437-9898 today. While we are not a cancer center, ASC Imaging Center has specially trained technologists who are certified in breast ultrasound (Mammaview®). The service is provided at no additional cost during routine screening exams or with our scheduled physicians’ appointments only. If you feel there may be an abnormality within your breast, please do not hesitate to ask us if you qualify for our Breast Care Program!