So a couple questions as to what you know or learned. While still having peirods...would you say a mamagram is cloudy and can't really detect if cancer cells are forming But can see a lump or tumor ? Also, have you heard that Radiation of any kind can increase your cancer percentage in your body over the life time ?
You need a baseline mammogram at 35 years old in order for them to see what your normal breast looks like. Then they look at it and compare subsequent films.
Your questions would best be answered by a doctor who reads mammograms for a living.
Dawn
Whether or not the mammogram is cloudy has nothing to do with the woman still having periods. If the mammogram is cloudy or not conclusive then they do an ultrasound. If cancer cells are forming but there is not a visible lump, this would mean that they just started forming. That is why it's important to get screened at regular intervals. First, if you've had previous mammograms the person reading the mammogram can probably tell because of the difference. Second, if the cells weren't visible this time, they will be the next time.
Yes, excessive radiation over a lifetime can increase your risk of cancer. However, mammograms and necessary x-rays, as well as CAT scans and MRIs do not increase your risk of cancer because the amount of radiation used is small. This does mean that one should not have these procedures without a medical reason to do so.
Because excessive radiation can increase the risk of cancer, those who administer these procedures have to protect themselves from exposure. But the ordinary person does not need to be concerned.
Some people who worked in high radiation places, such as Hanford, WN where components for the atomic bomb were made have developed cancers. So have those exposed to nuclear accidents such as Chernobyl also have developed cancers. These are massive doses of radiation and not what we receive with a mammogram.
Not all mammograms pick out lumps/tumors. Mine never showed either however it did show suspicious calcifications that turned out to be malignant. Nobody was ever able to feel a lump-even though we knew it was there so just because breasts may feel normal doesn't mean that they are.
You should start having mammograms as soon as you can if breast cancer is in your family. At least by 40 otherwise. I can't stress how important this is. If I had followed "instructions" by the govt and either waited until 50 or had one every other year my cancer would not have been caught at such an early stage. Believe me when I tell you that breast cancer is something you want to catch as soon as you can. Your risk of dying from it is so much lower if caught early. Detecting this cancer early should overide anyone's fear of lifetime radiation exposure.
No to both. I'm 100% for mammograms at an early age.
My first shot out the door at 40 I had a mass very close to the chest wall and had it removed after another a repeat test and ultrasounds. I didn't have a baseline at 35.
I fly often and there is radiation there as well. I'll take the risk. My next one is scheduled for next Friday...followed by a two hour massage :)
