A mammogram is considered as one of the most important test a woman can do as part of the process for helping to get early discovery of breast cancer. It can detect lumps that are too small to be located by an examination. Whether it is done at home or during an office visit with the doctor they do not provide a guarantee of discovering every possible lump and certainly not ones off very small sizes. So that is part of the reason that doctors do incorporate mammograms as part of their tests they order for their women patients. And thus it is helpful to at least be informed about the possible facts related to mammograms that may apply to a given woman’s situation. Such knowledge can be very valuable to the woman in helpful understanding and including this mammogram as part of her health practices that a doctor may require.

The first thing is how any woman over the age of 40 years should have an annual mammogram. This is very critical if there is a history of breast cancer in the family. It doesn’t matter how healthy the woman is or if she has no problems or symptoms if the risk is high because of family history a mammogram should not be ignored. A second suggestion is to got to the X-ray facility that performs the mammograms. This should be a place that performs on average some 3 to 5 mammograms a day. That will mean they have adequate training an experience to perform them with accuracy. In addition, you can ask to see their FDA certificate that demonstrates they are professionals who live up to a certain quality of standard.

If you are satisfied with the information and how they performed the mammogram as well as with the quality they provide then it would be a good idea to return the next year. This will help to since they will most likely have the same personnel each year. And they will be more likely to compare the x-rays between each year. That will be a benefit in terms of analyzing the information. Should you decide to change laboratories then it is recommended you take the other x-rays from other mammograms with you.

Mammograms are usually covered with a certain percentage of cost by most health insurance plans, Medicare and Medicaid. There are low cost mammograms also available through the American Cancer Society. So one can all them to find out locations they are being done.

The laboratory that performs the mammogram is required to send the results within 30 days. If they have a problem they are required to notify you in 5 days. Should there be any problems getting results contact your doctor if you do not get results in the appropriate time. And with mammograms less that 1% will show cancer, which is about 2 to 4 out of every 1000. Some 10 % may require a woman to take a second mammogram. In about 8 to 10% the women will need a biopsy. About 80% of those biopsies will not show any cancer.

For the test you will need to undress down to the waist, but a gown should be provide for you. In addition there are things that might interfere with good mammogram results. These can includes things such as deodorant, powders and creams that are applied to the under the arm. So it is important to avoid them before the mammogram. Plus more x-ray technologists are women so they will be the only present. And this procedure takes about 20 minutes with some possible discomfort.

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