HERSHEY – It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the time of year when everything from ribbons to race cars turn pink to build awareness of the disease that claims too many mothers, sisters and friends. It’s also the time to remind women of the importance of breast cancer screening.
Many women may ask, “Why do I need a mammogram? Breast cancer is not in my family. I have no breast lumps. I see my doctor every year, and my breast exam is normal.”
These are very good points, but when it comes to breast disease, it is what people don’t know that can cause them the most problems. Screening mammography is the only study of the breast proven to decrease the mortality from breast cancer up to 35 percent all by itself. Finding breast abnormalities before women can feel them is the ticket to early diagnosis, treatment and cure.
The current recommendations for screening suggest that all women over the age of 40 be screened every year. If one’s sister or mother has had breast cancer, this family history should be discussed with a health-care provider who may recommend that screening begin earlier than age 40.
The general recommendation is to begin screening 10 years earlier than the mother or sister was diagnosed with cancer. Women should pay attention to the medical history on both sides of their family. Paternal influences can be just as important as histories of ovarian or breast cancer on the mother’s side.
Digital mammography has been proven to be more sensitive in the detection of early changes for women who have dense breast tissue, are pre- or perimenopausal, or are under age 50. Mammograms performed at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center are fully digital.
The radiation dose related to mammography is very low, and has not been linked to an increase in breast cancer when the recommendations are followed. Breast cancers are sometimes not seen on a mammogram. As it is an imperfect test, women should see their health-care provider for a clinical breast examination yearly and learn how to do a thorough self breast exam.
This month, women aged 40 and over are encouraged to do something great for themselves and their loved ones — schedule a mammogram.
