Every woman should understand the risks of breast cancer. Aside from skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in women around the world. According to cancer.org, the average risk for women to get breast cancer is around 13%. Recent data also shows that there will be around 297,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women this year. 1 in 7 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime, even without a family history.

A mammogram is a medical test that uses low-dose x-rays to gather images of the breast tissue to detect breast cancer. There are two types of mammography, screening and diagnostic. It is helpful to know how these procedures work before you go in for one.

It is vital that women ages 40 and over get a mammogram once every year. There are situations where they are needed more often or earlier, though. It is commonly known that the goal of all mammograms is to detect breast cancer as early as possible. But, you may have other questions about these procedures. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about mammograms, including some you may not have even thought of.

Self-breast awareness and self-breast exams are healthy and all adults (yes, even men!) should use both to determine their breast health. But, what is the difference between the two and which is better? Here is some basic information about keeping up with your breast health.

When it comes to health screenings, the more regularly you can get them the better. Because every woman is different, there is no defined list of screenings to use. However, there are guidelines many doctors use that can help you decide which services you may need.

Mastalgia, known simply as breast pain, isn’t uncommon. But, if you aren’t aware of your own body’s norms and what breast pain can mean, it can be scary to experience. First and foremost, if you have breast pain or are concerned, speak with your doctor. Then you can become familiar with the causes of pain and what you should keep an eye on.

Breast cancer begins when cells in the breast start to grow rapidly and beyond the normal constraints of the body. These cells typically form into a tumor that can be felt as a lump or seen on a mammogram. 

Having an annual breast exam is an important part of taking care of your health. This is why we offer 3D mammography as part of our services at Women’s Healthcare Associates.

For women ages 40 and over, an annual screening mammogram is the best weapon for early detection of breast cancer. A mammogram is essentially when an x-ray of the breast tissue is taken and then examined by a medical doctor to evaluate. They can use this x-ray to discern if there are any abnormalities present and whether or not they could be cancerous. One type of mammogram that is commonly offered is 3D digital mammography.