Mammogram
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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
- A mammogram (MAM-o-gram) is an x-ray of your breasts. It can help find early cancers that are too small to be felt during your breast self-exam. It can also be done to check a lump that was found during a breast self-exam or medical checkup. If caregivers learn from a mammogram that you have breast cancer, they can start treatment quickly.
- Women 40 years and older should have a mammogram each year. This should be done for as long as the woman is in good health. If you have a serious illness or health problems, ask your caregiver how often you should have mammograms. Younger women at high risk for getting breast cancer should talk to their caregiver about mammograms. This includes women who have a family member with breast cancer. Talk to your caregiver about mammograms and when you should have them.
INSTRUCTIONS:
What happens after my mammogram?
- Your breasts may feel tender for a short while after the mammogram. You may do all your regular activities right after the mammogram. Ask your caregiver when you should have another mammogram.
- Women 20 to 39 years old should have their breasts examined by a caregiver at least every three years. Women 40 years and older should have their breasts examined by a caregiver every year.
- All women 20 years and older should do regular breast self-exams (BSE). Doing BSEs can help you learn what your breasts normally look and feel like. Knowing what is normal for your breasts can help you quickly know when breasts changes happen. Breast changes may be swelling, lumps, or dimpling, scaling, and redness of the breast or nipple. Some other changes are pain, nipple discharge (that is not breast milk), and nipples that begin to pull inward. Call a caregiver right away if you have any breast changes that you think may not be normal. Do this even if you have just recently had a mammogram. Ask your caregiver to give you information about how to do a BSE.
How can I find out if my mammogram was okay? If you have not heard about your mammogram results within ten days, call your caregiver. Ask if your mammogram is normal. If it is not, you may need to start treatment or have more tests done right away. You should also receive a mammogram report in the mail within 30 days after your mammogram.
Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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