#mammogram screening

Many conditions affecting the breast do not exhibit clear symptoms until advanced stages; therefore, mammogram screening becomes crucial to preventative medicine. In this blog, I will highlight how a mammogram scan (a breast X ray), aids in identifying changes within the breast tissues, which cannot be detected using the naked eye.

The blog further identifies people who should consider mammogram testing. It mainly focuses on women aged 40 years and above or those who have a risk factor such as dense breast tissue or abnormal breast tests. Mammogram testing assists physicians in keeping tabs on the health of their patients' breasts long before experiencing symptoms such as breast pain and lumps.

Moreover, the blog tackles some of the concerns surrounding mammogram screening. It emphasizes the safety of undergoing the procedure and how often one should conduct screening. The selection of the right diagnostic center becomes critical since early awareness of breast cancer remains imperative.

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting women globally, and Singapore is no exception. Early detection plays a crucial role in improving treatment outcomes and survival rates. Among the tools used for early detection, mammogram screening is widely regarded as one of the most effective.

In Singapore, mammograms are part of national efforts to encourage preventive health care. For women, especially those over 40, understanding the role of mammogram screening can help them make informed decisions about their health.

What Is a Mammogram?

A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of the breast, used to detect early signs of cancer, often before any physical symptoms appear. It can identify abnormalities such as tiny lumps or calcifications that may not be felt during a physical examination.

There are two main types:

Screening mammogram: Used for women with no signs or symptoms.

Diagnostic mammogram: Performed when there are symptoms or when something suspicious is found during screening.

When Should Women Start Mammogram Screenings?

Guidelines in Singapore generally recommend:

Women aged 40 to 49: Should have annual mammograms.

Women aged 50 and above: Are advised to go for mammograms once every two years.

These are general guidelines. Depending on personal risk factors, such as a family history of breast cancer, some women may need to start earlier or screen more frequently.

Why Is Mammogram Screening Important?

Early detection through screening can help catch breast cancer at a stage when treatment is more likely to be successful. Studies have shown that regular mammograms can reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer, particularly in women aged 50 to 69.

In Singapore, breast cancer is the leading cancer among women. As part of national health initiatives, screening programs aim to detect cancer in its earliest stages and reduce long-term impact on health and well-being.

Is the Procedure Painful?

Some women report mild discomfort during a mammogram, especially when pressure is applied to flatten the breast between the plates. However, the procedure is brief—typically lasting less than 20 minutes. Any discomfort is usually temporary and well-tolerated by most.

Wearing a two-piece outfit is often recommended for convenience, and avoiding deodorant or powder on the day of screening helps ensure better image quality.

Public Health Programs in Singapore

In Singapore, mammogram screenings are encouraged through national initiatives such as Screen for Life, which offers subsidised screening for eligible residents. Women aged 50 and above may receive reminders from health authorities to book a mammogram appointment as part of ongoing public health outreach.

Screenings are available at various clinics, hospitals, and health screening centres across the island. Some mobile screening units also provide services in community spaces to improve accessibility.

Conclusion

Nowadays, a large number of women are suffering from breast cancer disease and it is very hard to diagnose this problem because its symptoms are seen at later stages and somehow women find it hard to see. Earlier, the survival rate was very less because of unawareness but now it has improved as it is treated by high tech machines and now people do care of themselves by routine checkups of their bodies. Basic symptoms that help in recognizing the problem earlier is- lumps in the breast, redness of the skin of the breast, rashes on the nipples, change in the shape of the breast, peeling and scaling the skin of nipples and many more. These earlier traits indicate those women should visit a doctor for a check-up of the breast, only after that a doctor will diagnose the size of the tumor and refer further treatments. The major cause of breast cancer is seen after puberty stage when women’s breast produces milk for breastfeeding and tumor uses nutrients and energy and from that, it is diagnosed whether they have been spreads to other parts of the body or not which causes breast cancer.

When signs are visible then they are examined in 5 different stages. It starts from stage 0, where ductal carcinoma cells are checked whether they are not captured around the surrounding tissues. In stage 1, the size of the tumor is analyzed and make sure it has not affected any lymph nodes. Stage 2, is again to scan the size of the tumor and lymph nodes. Stage 3, is where the size of the tumor has increased and chances of the lymph node are affected by it. Stage 4, where it is widely spread to different organs such as the brain, liver, and lungs. Breast cancer increases with the increase in age and it is basically seen in genetics, family background, obese people or who are having a habit of consuming alcohol too frequently. This problem is also seen in women who have done breast implants and are majorly affected by this. To cover all such problems in one step, a mammography test is conducted which is the study of the breast by using X rays which includes fatty and glandular tissues to examine. Further, there are two types of a mammogram, one is a screening test which is used to check whether there is a problem or not and another one is diagnostic, it is used to check the abnormalities both in men and women from different angles of certain areas.

In order to diagnose this problem, ours is one of the best care centers in examining breast cancer by the Mammography Test in Zirkpur. We offer a wide variety of facilities with high tech machines using high-frequency generators. There are some special guidelines which we made mandatory for the patient to follow before treatment is that, the total prohibition of deodorants and powders or any type of ointments because usage of these will make the images blurred so we made it in a best possible way to avoid them. As images are immediately available and stored in a breast imaging reporting and database system and from where it helps the doctor to diagnose in a proper way by following the plan from images to screening and to biopsy from where the result is carried out. We are one of the best in providing this test with a wide range of advanced technologies. As we care for your health and breast cancer is one of the diseases that most women feel insecure in getting treated but we make sure we help you in the best possible way.

New Story has been published on http://enzaime.com/mammogram-screening-early-detection-hear-experts/

Mammogram Screening and early detection– Hear from Experts

https://www.elcaminohospital.org/stay-healthy/blog/mammogram-screening-hear-our-experts One in eight women will develop breast cancer. Experts agree – a mammogram is the best line of defense in screening for abnormal changes in your breast. Ever wonder how a mammogram is read and interpreted? Our Breast Health Center radiologists read more than 10,000 mammograms each year, and want to share how they read a mammogram and why they are so important in helping to detect breast cancer.

A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. It is used to detect and diagnose breast disease in women who have breast problems, like a lump, pain, or nipple discharge, as well as for women who have no breast complaints.

X-rays of the breast are different from those used for other parts of the body. The breast X-ray does not penetrate tissue as easily as the X-ray used for routine X-rays of other parts of the body. The breast is compressed by the mammogram equipment to spread the tissue apart. This allows for a lower dose of radiation. “There is always a slight chance of cancer from excessive exposure to radiation. However, the benefit of an accurate diagnosis far outweighs the risk”, says Michelle Black, MD, Radiologist at El Camino Hospital. Compression of the breast may cause temporary discomfort, but the compression is necessary to produce a good mammogram. The compression only lasts for a few seconds for each image of the breast. A breast health nurse or X-ray technologist usually takes the X-rays. The resulting films are read and interpreted by a radiologist, who reports the results to your healthcare provider.

Radiologists read and interpret a mammogram by looking for any signs of abnormality, including asymmetries (something on one side that’s not on the other), irregular areas of increased density, clusters of small calcifications and any area of skin thickening. “By sight alone radiologists cannot determine if something is cancerous. In fact, mammograms show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them.” shares Dr. Black. “That’s why a mammogram is the first in a series of tests that will help detect abnormalities.”

The radiologists at El Camino Hospital recommend an annual mammogram screening for all women over the age of 40, or earlier if you have additional risk factors for breast cancer, such as family history or BRCA gene mutation. “The Breast Health Center is very focused on early detection”, says Sila Yitta, MD, El Camino Hospital’s Director of Breast Imaging and Intervention. “The goal with early detection is to catch Breast Cancer when it’s small and easy to treat and it has not yet spread to other parts of the breast or body”.

Benefits and Risks of Mammography

A comprehensive review of 50 years’ worth of international studies assessing the benefits and harms of mammography screeningsuggests that the benefits of the screening are often overestimated, while harms are underestimated. And, since the relative benefits and harms of screening are related to a complex array of clinical factors and personal preferences, physicians and patients need more…

There will be a Free Mammogram Screening Event in Long Beach for women who qualify provided by the Samoan National Nurses Association (S.N.N.A.)

When: Saturday, December 17, 2011 Where: S.N.N.A. 1950 E. 220th Street, Ste #301 Long Beach, CA 90810 Contact: (310)952-1115 and ask for Genesis Lutu or Noel Moananu

Always remember, early detection and prevention saves lives.