Breast
Cancer
Screening Can Save Your
Life ! |
 11% of
women in America will eventually develop breast cancer, and each year, about 44,000
American women will die from breast cancer. Regular screening can significantly reduce
this risk. |
|
The earlier the detection of potential cancerous tumor, the more chances of fast
treatment and recovery and the least risks of death. Major health organizations agree that
screening mammography every one to two years can reduce breast cancer death rates by about
one-third for women over the age of 50. |
|
 What does breast cancer screening consist of ?
What is a screening mammogram?
What is a diagnostic mammogram?
How often is the screening test recommended?
Questions to Ask your Doctor About Breast Changes and Mammograms
Breast self-examination
| In the News
(October 1999) More women having
mammograms (10/8/99)
More US women are having mammograms -- imaging studies used to screen for breast cancer --
according to 1989-1997 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
``The percentage of women aged 40 and over who reported ever having a mammogram increased
from 64% in 1989 to 85% in 1997, and the percentage of women who reported receiving a
mammogram within the previous 2 years increased from 54% in 1989 to 71% in 1997,''
according to a CDC report released Friday. |
Associations
In Past News...
Internet Resources
What does Breast Cancer Screening
Consist of? |
- Monthly breast self-examinations to detect
unusual lumps. Ask your physician to demonstrate the exam technique so you can do it on
your own.
- Clinical breast exams, performed by your
doctor, to detect
potentially dangerous lumps.
- Mammograms (X-ray examinations of the breast)
to detect breast tumors at early stages of development, even before they can be felt by
breast exams.
| What is a Screening Mammogram ? |
A screening mammogram is an x-ray of the breast used to
detect breast changes in women who have no signs of breast cancer. It usually involves two
x-rays of each breast. Using a mammogram, it is possible to detect a tumor that cannot be
felt.
| What is a Diagnostic Mammogram ? |
A diagnostic mammogram is an x-ray of the breast used to
diagnose unusual breast changes, such as a lump, pain, nipple thickening or discharge, or
a change in breast size or shape. A diagnostic mammogram is also used to evaluate
abnormalities detected on a screening mammogram. It is a basic medical tool and is
appropriate in the workup of breast changes, regardless of a woman's age.
How often is the Screening Test
Recommended ? |
Recently, the American Cancer Society changed its mammography
guidelines to one simple recommendation:
WOMEN 40 AND OVER
SHOULD GET ANNUAL MAMMOGRAMS |
Questions to Ask your Doctor About
Breast Changes and Mammograms |
1. How often should I schedule appointments with you?
2. How can I tell which lumps are not normal?
3. What kind of lumps do I have?
4. Do I need to have a mammogram? When? How often? If not, why not?
5. Is there anything in my background that indicates I should have mammograms more often
than your usual recommendations?
6. Where should I have my mammogram?
7. Did you receive the results of my mammogram? What does that report mean?
National Alliance of Breast
Cancer Organizations (NABCO)
10th Floor
Nine East 37th Street
New York, NY 10016
1–800–719–9154
E-mail: nabcoinfo@aol.com
Web: http://www.nabco.org
NABCO is a nonprofit organization that provides information
about breast cancer and acts as an advocate for the legislative concerns of breast cancer
patients and survivors.
To learn more about mammograms...
National Cancer Institute's Cancer
Information Service
1-800-4-CANCER
(1-800-422-6237)
People with TTY equipment, dial 1-800-332-8615
Breast Cancer
Overview, from the National Cancer Institute
U.S.
Study Backs New Breast Cancer Biopsy Method
New breast cancer drug approved by FDA
Almost
half of breast cancers caught early
Cancer. What to do if you have
it
What can health plans offer
women with Breast Cancer?
Jet
lag linked to breast cancer risk?
Breast Cancer
Coverage
The California state Senate has approved
legislation that would require health insurers to provide breast cancer screening. The
measure would also force insurers to provide coverage for diagnosis and treatment of
breast cancer. |
|
