October is officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign founded in 1985 as a means of increasing awareness of the disease, its effects and the steps necessary in identifying the disease at an early stage. For many of women, we’ve been satisfied doing our own self examinations in the shower for years, simply feeling for lumps in and around the breast plate but have never considered doing a mammogram. But what is a mammogram and how important is doing one in the fight against breast cancer?
A mammogram is an x-ray exam of the breast, and the most popularly employed technique for identifying features of breast cancer at an early stage” according to Dr. Winston “Freddie” Clarke, Diagnostic Radiologist at The Radiation Oncology Centre of Jamaica, and Diplomate of the American Board of Radiology. Generally a mammogram is used to check for breast cancer in women who may not be displaying signs or symptoms of the disease. The procedure often referred to as screening, allows for the detection of tumours or any abnormalities that may be present in the breast.
When should a woman start worrying about breast cancer? And possibly doing a mammogram?
Dr. Clarke does not believe we should worry about anything, nor should we think of having breast cancer as a “fight” against the disease. He does instead purport that there are factors involved when deciding at what age to do your first mammogram. He advises, that if there has been a diagnosis of the disease in a first degree family member, then it is advised to start screening early. For example, if you are one half of a twin and your twin has been diagnosed or if your Mother has been diagnosed then you should get tested as soon as possible.
“Anywhere from age 30-35 is a good age to start doing a mammogram, if there are critical factors start earlier. I have seen cancer in teenagers and I have seen cancer in the old. Ultimately the individual lady should be empowered to make her own decision.”
This screening, which usually consists of two x-ray images for each breast, seeks to identify abnormalities between the two breasts. A relatively painless but slightly uncomfortable and quick procedure, the mammogram consists of literally taking the breast tissue and compressing it between two metal plates while the x-ray is being done. Due to modified cutting edge digital technology results are instantly uploaded to compute screens for assessment by the radiologist. Dr. Clarke advises that this test should be repeated every two years, following an initial x-ray for low risk persons, with no immediate relatives having the disease, and for higher risked persons every year.
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