Regular mammography screenings urged
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Updated: November 04, 2009 2:42 PM
Medical experts recommend that by age 50, women should be having regular screening mammograms to help find breast cancer early. According to the B.C. Cancer Agency’s Screening Mammography Program, about 90 per cent of women who have regular screening mammograms will have normal results.
An abnormal result does not mean you have breast cancer. In fact, out of every 1000 women who have a screening mammogram, about 70 may have abnormal results and will need further testing to reach a diagnosis.
Of the 70 women who receive further testing, about four women may be found to have breast cancer.
More importantly, three of the four women will usually be in an early stage of cancer when there are more treatment options and a likely return to full health.
When radiologists view breast x-rays and see shadows or spots, they send out an abnormal result letter and you are called back for further testing. Some of the more common reasons for shadows or spots are:
Cysts are almost always non-cancerous (benign) and many women have them.
Mass can be many things including cysts and fibroids, which may or may not be benign.
Calcifications often show up in breast tissue, they may or may not be benign.
Radiologists have a better chance of detecting small breast changes when there are previous x-rays to be compared against, which is why regular screening mammograms are important.
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