Frequently
Asked Questions
What
are the basic breast health steps?
Answer: The Susan G.
Komen Breast Cancer Foundation recommends the following screening
guidelines:
- Monthly breast self-examination beginning by
age 20
- Clinical
breast examinations at least every three years beginning
at age 20 and annually after age 40
- Annual screening mammography
beginning at age 40
- Women under age 40 with a family history
of breast cancer and other concerns about their personal
risk should consult
a trained medical professional about risk assessment and when to begin
with a screening mammography -- a service of The
Breast Center of NWA
- New recommendations from the American Cancer Society suggest
shorter intervals and additional screening tools
e.g. ultrasound and MRI may be appropriate in some high
risk women.
What is breast cancer?
Answer: Breast
cancer is a type of cancer where cells in the breast tissue
divide
and grow without the usual
controls on cell
death and
cell division.
What are the signs of breast cancer? Answer:
The most common signs of breast cancer are a lump
in the breast, an abnormal thickening of the
breast or
a change
in the shape
or color of the breast. Finding a lump or change
in your breast does not necessarily mean you
have breast
cancer.
If you experience
any of the following symptoms, you should see
a doctor right away.
- ? Any new, hard lump or thickening in
any part of the breast
- ? Change
in breast size or shape
- ? Dimpling
or puckering of the skin
- ? Swelling,
redness or warmth that does not go away
- ? Pain
in one spot that does not vary with your monthly cycle
- ? Pulling
in of the nipple
- ? Nipple
discharge that starts suddenly and appears only in one breast
- ? An
itchy, sore, or scaling area on one nipple
You may or may
not have pain with these breast changes. What is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and
does it increase my risk for breast cancer?
Answer:
During menopause, a woman's body significantly
reduces the production of estrogen. This decrease
in estrogen
may cause hot flashes,
bone loss, vaginal dryness, and mood swings.
To lessen the side effects, doctors may prescribe
HRT.
Recent use of combination hormone replacement
therapy has been shown to increase breast cancer
risk,
with higher risk associated
with longer use. What is a screening mammogram?
Answer:
A screening mammogram is an x-ray of the breast
used to detect breast changes in women who
have no signs
or symptoms
of breast
cancer. It usually involves two x-rays of
each breast. With a mammogram, it is possible
to
detect microcalcifications
(tiny
deposits of calcium in the breast, which
sometimes are a clue to the presence of breast
cancer)
or a tumor that
cannot be felt. What is a diagnostic mammogram?
Answer:
A diagnostic mammogram is an x-ray of the
breast that is used to diagnose unusual
breast changes,
such as
a lump,
pain, thickening,
nipple discharge, or a change in breast
size or shape. A diagnostic mammogram is
also
used to evaluate
changes
detected on a screening
mammogram. This type of mammogram may be
necessary if it is difficult to obtain
a clear x-ray
with a screening mammogram
because of
special circumstances, such as the presence
of breast implants. A diagnostic mammogram
takes
longer than
a
screening mammogram
because it involves more x-rays to obtain
views of the breast from several angles.
The technician
may
magnify
a suspicious
area to produce a detailed picture that
can help the doctor make an accurate diagnosis. How
much does a mammogram cost?
Answer:
Medicare pays 80 percent of the cost of
a screening mammogram each year for beneficiaries
age 40
and older and one
baseline mammogram for beneficiaries
age 35 to 39. There is no deductible
requirement for this benefit, but Medicare
beneficiaries are responsible for a 20
percent
copayment of
the Medicare-approved amount. Information
about Medicare
coverage is available
at http://www.medicare.gov
on the Internet, or through the Medicare
Hotline at 1?800?633?4227 (1?800?MEDICARE).
For deaf
and hard
of hearing callers,
the TTY/TDD number is 1?877?486?2048. What is digital mammography? How is it different from conventional
mammography?
Answer:
Digital mammography captures the x-ray
images on a digital detection rather
than on x-ray
film, as with
conventional
mammography.
In January 2000, the FDA approved a
digital mammography system that may offer potential
advantages over
the use of standard
x-ray film. Studies comparing digital
and conventional mammography are ongoing.
The
radiologists at The Breast Center personally feel digital
mammography
is superior in
the dense or busy
breast or
in patients with implants or previous
breast surgery.
Currently, digital mammography
can be done only in facilities that are
certified
to
practice conventional mammography
and have received FDA approval to
offer digital mammography,
such as offered
at The Breast Center of NWA. The
procedure for
having a mammogram with a digital
system is the same for
the patient
as with conventional
mammography.
FAQ's on Breast MRI |
