At some point in her life, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Take a good look around you. You probably see at least eight women in your office building or walking down the street at any given time. One of these eight women will come face to face with a brutal, remorseless killer. Forty thousand women will die of this terrible cancer this year, and another 220,000 will be diagnosed with it. Breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women worldwide, and it is the second most common cause of death, right behind heart disease. Mammography can and does save lives every single day!
The Key to Beating Cancer: Early Detection
Like every other cancer, if breast cancer is caught early, the prognosis tends to be very positive. Mammography is the best early-detection resource available to women. It consists of a low energy x-ray beam that is fired at the patient's breasts. The x-ray beams make any abnormalities that may be present in the fatty tissues stand out in the resulting x-ray image.
Digital vs. Traditional
Besides the traditional breast cancer tests, a second digital method has been developed. The digital tests are just as effective and as safe as traditional testing procedures, but the images are better and are produced much faster. This allows for your doctor to go over the images with you before you even leave the office. Digital testing practices take early detection to the next level!
Diagnostic Tests and Screenings
There is a major difference between these two types of exams. It is highly recommended that all women between the ages of 35 and 40 get a baseline mammogram and then get a routine screening every single year after their 40th birthday, since age is one of the main risk factors for women. Screenings are for women who have never had breast cancer or other issues with their breasts. They are not as comprehensive as diagnostic tests, but if you have never had a problem, they should be more than sufficient for you.
Diagnostic tests are for women who have had breast cancer, other breast issues, or breast implants. These tests obtain images from multiple angles. In the case of a cancer survivor, diagnostic tests are used to ensure the cancer has not come back. In the case of someone with breast implants, diagnostic tests ensure that the cancer doesn't slip by a screening, since breast implants can make it harder for an accurate screening. There is no evidence that links implants to breast cancer, but it makes it harder to detect with traditional screenings.
Affordable Annual Mammography
Don't worry about not being able to afford your annual tests: because these tests are so vital in fighting the disease, the Affordable Care Act has mandated coverage for breast cancer screenings. Monetary issues will not prevent you from ensuring you are clear of breast cancer.
The Key to Beating Cancer: Early Detection
Like every other cancer, if breast cancer is caught early, the prognosis tends to be very positive. Mammography is the best early-detection resource available to women. It consists of a low energy x-ray beam that is fired at the patient's breasts. The x-ray beams make any abnormalities that may be present in the fatty tissues stand out in the resulting x-ray image.
Digital vs. Traditional
Besides the traditional breast cancer tests, a second digital method has been developed. The digital tests are just as effective and as safe as traditional testing procedures, but the images are better and are produced much faster. This allows for your doctor to go over the images with you before you even leave the office. Digital testing practices take early detection to the next level!
Diagnostic Tests and Screenings
There is a major difference between these two types of exams. It is highly recommended that all women between the ages of 35 and 40 get a baseline mammogram and then get a routine screening every single year after their 40th birthday, since age is one of the main risk factors for women. Screenings are for women who have never had breast cancer or other issues with their breasts. They are not as comprehensive as diagnostic tests, but if you have never had a problem, they should be more than sufficient for you.
Diagnostic tests are for women who have had breast cancer, other breast issues, or breast implants. These tests obtain images from multiple angles. In the case of a cancer survivor, diagnostic tests are used to ensure the cancer has not come back. In the case of someone with breast implants, diagnostic tests ensure that the cancer doesn't slip by a screening, since breast implants can make it harder for an accurate screening. There is no evidence that links implants to breast cancer, but it makes it harder to detect with traditional screenings.
Affordable Annual Mammography
Don't worry about not being able to afford your annual tests: because these tests are so vital in fighting the disease, the Affordable Care Act has mandated coverage for breast cancer screenings. Monetary issues will not prevent you from ensuring you are clear of breast cancer.
No comments:
Post a Comment