As a woman, it can be hard to know whether or not you should get screened for breast cancer. This is especially true if there are any misconceptions about the process. It can be scary going for a mammogram, especially when you don’t know what the outcome will be.
The fear of knowing is one of the main reasons why many women choose not to get checked.
But don’t worry! Here are some valid reasons why mammograms are worth getting – and what’s more, they’re scientifically proven too!
Reasons For Getting A Mammogram
Mammograms are often considered an important tool to detect and treat breast cancers early on before they become life-threatening diseases. Although mammography is not perfect, it can help find some types of breast tumors when they are too small to feel or see, and may even help to reduce the chance of death from breast cancer.
Mammography is a type of X-ray exam that uses low levels of radiation to take pictures of your breasts. It helps detect abnormalities in tissues before they become detectable by physical examination or other screening techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound.
After a mammogram, your doctor will review the images and may send them to a pathologist for further evaluation. You will need specialists that are highly trained in reading mammograms to give conclusive answers. If breast cancer is suspected then additional diagnostic tests such as ultrasound or MRI are usually ordered.
- It’s a less invasive way to know whether you have breast cancer.
- Mammograms are the most accurate way of determining if you have breast cancer as well since they can detect it earlier than other types of screening and even during its earliest stages.
- A mammogram is an affordable option for nearly all women, as the Medicare program covers screenings for those aged 65 and up.
- The process also saves lives, because it’s most likely that you’ll catch cancer early when you get a mammogram.
- Mammograms can be stressful at times, but they’re not usually painful, either!
Why is early cancer detection important?
It’s important to be aware that breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in North America. In fact, nearly all (99%) women will develop some type of breast cancer by the time they turn 70. What’s more, it can happen to anyone – and early detection can make a world of difference. It may sound scary but the truth is that one in eight women will die because they didn’t know they had the condition.
- Mammograms can detect breast cancer early on, meaning it’s more likely to be cured before spreading and worsening your prognosis.
- Early detection means you have a higher chance of survival – recent research has found that for every 100 women with breast cancer, 98 will survive if their disease is detected early.
- Early detection also means you’re less likely to have more aggressive forms of treatment like chemotherapy or surgery which can often be painful and leave scars.
- In some cases, mammograms can even help reduce your risk of getting the condition in the first place!
It’s safe to say that mammograms and early prevention methods have a lot of benefits for women – and what’s more, they’re an affordable choice. So if you haven’t yet gotten screened, make sure you know the reasons why it can be worth your while!
How common is breast cancer?
Breast cancer has become one of if not the most common forms of cancer in women. It can be hard to detect in the earlier stages and because of this, many women do not find out until the breast cancer has reached a more critical stage.
- In the United States, an estimated 230,480 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women this year.
- In Canada, 40-50 million people are living with or at risk for breast cancer.
- Almost five Canadians a day are being diagnosed and treated for some form of breast cancer—that is more than 11,000 people each year.
- In the United Kingdom, an estimated 55,200 women are diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and over 12 million live at risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime.
- Globally, an estimated 700 thousand new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed every year by 2020.
- In 2012, breast cancer was the most common form of cancer in women worldwide.
Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in North America, and it’s important to be aware that you can get a mammogram for an affordable price. A mammography screening is also quick, painless (usually), and accurate when done on time. If you are worried about how your breast tissue will react due to radiation exposure, know that there are other types of screenings available as well, like ultrasound or MRI which may not use as much radiation but aren’t often covered by insurance plans unless they’re ordered after a mammogram reveals something suspicious. It’s imperative that women take care of themselves so they’re able to live long lives with their families- make sure you know what steps you need to take at every age!
