Don't let these four things keep you from getting the mammogram you need
According to BreastCancer.org, roughly one out of every eight U.S. women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Unfortunately, many women miss the opportunity to detect breast cancer early by avoiding regular mammograms. Don't let one of the following four things keep you from getting the mammogram you need.
1. Worrying about time and money.
A visit to our
Women’s Health Center takes 30 minutes on average and most insurance plans will cover the cost. In cases in which insurance does not cover the cost of mammograms, grants from organizations like
A Silver Lining Foundation may, if certain requirements are met.
2. Believing that mammograms are innacurate.
Mammograms are incredibly accurate diagnostic tests. In fact, according to the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), having mammograms is 80 percent effective in identifying cancer up to three years before any lumps can be felt.
3. Waiting for a doctor to schedule your test.
A doctor’s order is not required for a screening mammogram. You should schedule a mammogram annually after age 40 while in good health.
4. Not understanding the additional benefits of 3-D mammography.
3-D mammography detects 29% more breast cancer than traditional mammography, reducing the number of additional imaging due to false alarms. While traditional 2-D mammogram takes a single image of the breast tissue, 3-D mammography takes several at a variety of angles. Radiologists can scroll through these images to see around dense tissue to better detect breast cancer and reduce the number of unwarranted call backs.
Additionally, 3-D mammograms also use equipment designed for fit and flexibility, allowing women to be more comfortable while receiving their screening.
When to schedule a mammogram?
Swedish Hospital adheres to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’s recommendations for mammography, which state that women in good health over 40 should receive an annual mammogram. Of course, whether and when to schedule a mammogram should always be discussed with the individual’s
primary care physician.
In addition to yearly mammograms, women should conduct regular self-examinations. If you are unsure how to do so, please ask your primary care physicians to show you how.
Swedish Hospital’s
Jack and Mayora Rosenberg Women's Health Center provides women with a convenient, comfortable setting to access important health services. To schedule a mammogram, please call
773-878-6888.
If you are unsure of whether or not you should schedule a mammogram, please browse our
Find a Doctor profiles to schedule an appointment with one of our primary care physicians.
By David Modica | Published September 29, 2016
