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About 1 in 12 women will contract breast cancer some time during their life, with the odds increasing as they age. But with modern medicine, treatment can be relatively simple and effective. Key to that success, though, is early detection. A regular mammogram is one traditional and still highly useful tool to do so. A mammogram is a simple x-ray photograph of the breast area. The plates are then examined by a radiologist, who is trained to look at the subtle differences in the picture for indications of tumors. It is an important part of the regime to distinguish between benign cysts and cancerous growths. When you go for your mammogram you will be asked to disrobe partially and lie on a surface that will more than likely be both cold and flat. You will experience slight discomfort and it will last for the duration of the procedure. As the technician prepares you for the x-ray photograph, they'll typically place a device called a compressor over your breast. That's needed in order to flatten the tissue, in order to get the clearest possible x-ray photograph. The discomfort isn't pleasant, but the procedure often takes only a few minutes so it's well worth it for the information gleaned. X-rays are typically taken from several different angles to provide the radiologist with several different views. Because tumors start small and can be located deep underneath tissue, the more visual information a doctor has to look at the better chance they have of determining if any cancer exists. Also, the better look they get at the area they more confidently they are able to advise as to whether or not a tumor is present. Some contemporary hygiene products can actually lessen the clearness with which the x-rays are viewed. Deodorant that contains aluminum oxide, sunscreen, and skin ointments might obscure the view by absorbing some of the energy emitted for x-ray. It is important to take a good shower on the day of your mammogram and not use any powders, creams, lotions, sprays, or other products. As part of the test, physicians will often times perform a manual exam much like a breast self-exam. The doctor will be looking for the same things that you would. Though they don't know the exact history of your body as intimately as you, they are skilled in detecting things that are subtle such as thickening, lumps, and other indicators. During your mammogram and breast exam the doctor will be searching for clumps of cells that harden, are immobile and are irregularly shaped. Mobile and soft lumps can often times be no ore than cysts filled with fluid. Usually they are benign. When the patient desires it, usually when the insurance company is willing to cover the expense or there is good reason for extra tests, other procedures can supplement the mammogram. Ultrasound, for example, is becoming more common. They are limited in their ability to detect very early cancer development, but so is a mammogram. Other, more sophisticated tests and methods have been developed. For example the QM-MSP (quantitative multiplex methylation-specific PCR), can detect cancer growths that have only a small clump of 50 cells with a high rate of reliability. As time goes by, tests this accurate will begin to move into the mainstream. Until then a mammogram will be a great tool for providing peace of mind to many women.
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