Why Mammogram Screenings Matter: Saving Lives Through Early Detection

Chances are you already know someone affected by breast cancer. It is one of the most common cancers that affects women, totaling 30 percent of their cancer diagnoses. One woman in eight will receive a breast cancer diagnosis at some point.

However, thanks to advancements in screening and treatment, survival rates continue to improve. Screening mammography has helped reduce breast cancer deaths in the U.S. by roughly 40 percent since 1990. Here is why getting your mammogram is a powerful step in protecting your health.

The Power of Detecting Breast Cancer Early

Don’t wait for an outward sign of breast cancer. By the time you notice a lump or change in your breast, the cancer has had a chance to grow. Mammograms can find breast cancer much earlier, up to three years before you might notice a lump.

The breast cancer five-year survival rate is 99 percent when physicians find breast cancer in its earliest stage, before it spreads.

Mammograms Save Lives

A mammogram screening uses X-rays to take a picture of inside the breast. Physicians use these images to search for early signs of breast cancer.

Mammograms are a powerful tool for finding breast cancer. One study showed that women who get regular mammograms cut their risk of dying from breast cancer by almost half.

Mammograms are important for everyone, including women who don’t think they have a high risk of cancer. Seventy-five percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history or other risk factors.

The likelihood of a false positive (an irregular result when there is no cancer) is 7 to 12 percent. While this can be stressful, most women who are called back for further testing don’t have breast cancer.

Even with its limitations, a mammogram is still the best way to screen for breast cancer.

What to Expect at a Mammogram

To prepare for your mammogram, wear pants or a skirt instead of a dress, since you’ll undress from the waist up. Also, avoid wearing perfume or deodorant, as they can show up as spots on the X-ray.

When you arrive, you will change out of your shirt and into a gown. Your technologist will ask you to stand before a special X-ray machine. Your breast will rest on one plate while another compresses the tissue.

Compression during a mammogram can be uncomfortable and even cause pain. However, we’ve partnered with Solis Mammography to offer SmartCurve technology. These curved plates distribute pressure more evenly, reducing pinching and discomfort. To ease pain even more, try not to schedule your mammogram right before or during your period, as your breasts might be more tender.

A specially trained radiologist will review your images and share their findings with your provider. You will receive your results a few days to weeks later.

When Should I Get a Mammogram?

Most organizations now recommend women get a yearly mammogram starting at age 40. However, more women younger than 40 are getting breast cancer. All women should talk with their providers about their breast cancer risk by age 25. Your provider may recommend specific screenings or tests based on your risk factors.

Even women with breast implants or no family history should get mammograms. Read more on how we debunk these and other mammogram myths.

Schedule Your Mammogram

It really is true: Early detection saves lives. Protect your health by scheduling your mammogram today — and encouraging loved ones to schedule theirs, too.

Schedule your mammogram online or call 855-530-2383. You’ll need a prescription to schedule your mammogram, which you can get from your primary care provider.