The American Cancer Society recommends a first, or "baseline," mammogram for all women at age 40. Thereafter, a mammogram should be performed every year. Remember, all women are at risk for breast cancer! Even in families where there is no history of breast cancer, mammograms can and do save lives.
Nationally recognized for excellence by the Commission on Cancer, Schneck's Breast Health Program brings women the most advanced breast health care, close to home. From diagnosis and treatment to recovery, here patients get the best care with the least worry for a quicker return to well.
Listen in as Sally Acton, RN helps you to learn more about mammograms and know what to expect when you arrive for your test.
The Importance of Getting a Mammogram
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Learn more about Sally Acton
Sally Acton, RN
Sally Acton began her career at Schneck as a student nurse more than three decades ago. She started the cancer program at Schneck in 1986. As director of Cancer Services, she lead the program to accreditation in 1991 and most recently accreditation with commendation by the Commission on Cancer. She has been instrumental in developing Schneck's Palliative Care Program and High Risk Breast Clinic.Learn more about Sally Acton
Transcription:
The Importance of Getting a Mammogram
Bill Klaproth (Host): Mammography has helped reduce breast cancer mortality in the U.S. by nearly 40% since 1990, yet there are women that skip their annual mammogram, and there have been conflicting guidelines in when and who should get mammograms. Well, here to help clear the confusion and talk about the importance of getting a mammogram is Director of Cancer and Palliative Care Services at Schneck Medical Center, Sally Acton. Sally, thank you so much for your time today. So, why is it still important to get a mammogram?
Sally Acton (Guest): Well, the mammogram is a very useful tool in catching breast cancer early and anytime we can catch cancer early, then you’ve got a cure. And so, it’s definitely huge in finding cancers when they’re really tiny.
Bill: And, at what age should women start getting mammograms?
Sally: Well, as you already mentioned, there are different guidelines throughout the nation. We have always accepted the American Cancer Society guidelines here which just recently changed, actually, to yearly from ages 45-55, and then every two years after that unless you’re at high risk. However, I really think it’s something that every woman needs to speak to their physician about because if you’re at higher risk, you may want to start it at age 40 or even before that. And, certainly, depending on your family history, may go much later than what is also recommended.
Bill: So, the general guidelines are age 40, right now, and then you say yearly? Is that the general, normal case for women--start at 40, and then yearly?
Sally: Yes, it is although many of the guidelines talk about every two years after year 55 or older because it does increase your risk as you age. But, having worked in the cancer center here for so many years, I see so many women in their 40’s and early 50’s with breast cancer that certainly you would not want to deny them the mammogram. That’s why I think it’s really important for women to talk that over with their physicians to decide when they should start and how often they should be getting their test done.
Bill: Sally, you touched on this a bit. How important a role, then, does age and family history play in getting a mammogram?
Sally: Well, it does play a huge role. If your mother or sister or aunts, if they all have breast cancer, then your risk does go up. We do have genetic testing that can be done that may demonstrate whether or not you really have hereditary inclination for breast cancer, but I can tell you as well, I have women that have never had any family history at all and they’re getting breast cancer. So, though that’s something that might trigger you to get your mammograms more often or sooner, every woman is at risk for breast cancer. So, certainly, I would not say to anyone, “If there’s no family history don’t worry about it,” because, frankly, women have breasts and you could be the one that gets breast cancer.
Bill: And that speaks to that early detection you were just talking about.
Sally: Right. I’m always amazed at how tiny they can find a cancer on mammography. When we have cancer conferences monthly and the radiographer here will show that picture of the mammogram and she can find them when they’re just like a pinhead. It’s just so tiny. Where when you consider if I’m doing a breast exam on myself, it’s going to be the size of a pea before I can find it. So, certainly, we want to catch them when we’re just as small as we can so that women don’t have to have their total breast removed. They can have a very minimal surgery and be cured of their disease.
Bill: Early detection is the key right there. So, for someone listening that may say, “Hey, you know what? I don’t have any breast cancer in my family. I don’t need to worry about this,” what would you say to them right now?
Sally: I would say, “If you have breasts, you need to worry about it.” And when I say “worry”, I don’t mean fret about it but definitely do something about it as in getting your own breasts checked yourself, having your doctor check them, and also getting that mammogram is very important because every woman is at risk. It’s not just those that have family history. And, I have seen that year after year that it’s women that have no family history, and they’re always surprised, “Hey, how did I get this?” But it happens.
Bill: So, again, that early detection certainly lessens the surprise when you’re talking about breast cancer. So, the procedure itself, how quick is it? Is it painful? I know my wife doesn’t like to go through it. What about the risk of radiation? Can you speak on those?
Sally: Sure. Actually, it’s a little uncomfortable but it’s certainly very short-lived. The uncomfortable part of it is just a very few seconds for doing the film and the amount of radiation is very small. So, that is certainly nothing to worry about. They have got these digital mammograms now that use very little radiation at all. So, that is not a worry.
Bill: Speaking of digital mammograms, can you explain what that is and why women with dense breasts should ask for a digital mammogram?
Sally: Certainly. When you have dense breasts, that just means the tissue is--certainly, when you look at the film, it looks white and the digital mammography also does a second look and certainly can identify what is that what we call “fibrocystic disease” or the dense breast versus cancer with the help of, of course, radiation or the imaging physician that’s looking at these films. The digital really enhances the breasts more.
Bill: So, why doesn’t every woman get a digital exam, then? Why are there differences?
Sally: Well, I think, there again, it depends on the facility. Some facilities might not be able to afford the digital exams or that second look exam that Schneck can offer. So, that would be the only reason I can think of why they would not offer that--because that is the standard highest level that you’d want to have in a mammography.
Bill: And, that’s what you do at Schneck?
Sally: Yes, yes. And I’m very proud of our imaging services here at Schneck. We actually are considered a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. How we did that was that we were certified in our mammography, in our ultrasound, certified in MRI as well as ultrasound and stereotactic biopsies. And in order to get certified and be named this Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, we actually had surveyors come in and review our statistics and review all our quality indicators to see, to determine that we were really a good center of excellence for anyone with breast issues. So, I’m very proud of our center for that.
Bill: And, Sally, how soon should someone expect to get results from their mammogram?
Sally: That would be within one business day they should be able to get that--certainly, within a day or two. Now, what happen is, if the imaging doctor actually sees something on your screening, they can do that diagnostic test that same day and actually even do the biopsy that same day. Some ladies don’t want to be that aggressive with it, and say, “No, let’s wait until my husband,” for instance, “can be with me before I do that.” So, we certainly allow for that. But women that are very anxious if they find a lump and we do a mammogram on someone that actually has an issue, they can get the biopsy that exact same day. So, it’s very, very quickly.
Bill: I was just going to ask you that. If something is found, how quickly can you address it, and you just answered it: that day if the patient wants it, but, of course, you will go by their wishes, and if they want to wait and bring their husband or a little of time to think about it, you will allow that as well.
Sally: Sure. Sure will.
Bill: And, Sally, can you just quickly close with--I know you were telling us some great things about Schneck Medical Center--Why should someone choose Schneck for their mammography needs?
Sally: Well, the Women’s Imaging Center has wonderful staff that are all certified in what they’re doing, and, as I say, as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, anyone can be assured that the equipment and the staff and all the quality indicators that would demonstrate good quality imaging is done here at Schneck. I think that’s why Schneck has always been very good at making sure by testing and surveyors coming from outside our agency, to assure that, yes, this is the best equipment, and yes, that the staff are well trained and all the quality indicators are met. So, I think that in itself speaks highly of our imaging department.
Bill: Well, Sally, thank you so much for your time today and talking to us about the Schneck Medical Center Breast Cancer Center. For more information, visit www.schneckmed.org. That’s www.schneckmed.org. This is Schneck Radio. I’m Bill Klaproth. Thanks for listening.
The Importance of Getting a Mammogram
Bill Klaproth (Host): Mammography has helped reduce breast cancer mortality in the U.S. by nearly 40% since 1990, yet there are women that skip their annual mammogram, and there have been conflicting guidelines in when and who should get mammograms. Well, here to help clear the confusion and talk about the importance of getting a mammogram is Director of Cancer and Palliative Care Services at Schneck Medical Center, Sally Acton. Sally, thank you so much for your time today. So, why is it still important to get a mammogram?
Sally Acton (Guest): Well, the mammogram is a very useful tool in catching breast cancer early and anytime we can catch cancer early, then you’ve got a cure. And so, it’s definitely huge in finding cancers when they’re really tiny.
Bill: And, at what age should women start getting mammograms?
Sally: Well, as you already mentioned, there are different guidelines throughout the nation. We have always accepted the American Cancer Society guidelines here which just recently changed, actually, to yearly from ages 45-55, and then every two years after that unless you’re at high risk. However, I really think it’s something that every woman needs to speak to their physician about because if you’re at higher risk, you may want to start it at age 40 or even before that. And, certainly, depending on your family history, may go much later than what is also recommended.
Bill: So, the general guidelines are age 40, right now, and then you say yearly? Is that the general, normal case for women--start at 40, and then yearly?
Sally: Yes, it is although many of the guidelines talk about every two years after year 55 or older because it does increase your risk as you age. But, having worked in the cancer center here for so many years, I see so many women in their 40’s and early 50’s with breast cancer that certainly you would not want to deny them the mammogram. That’s why I think it’s really important for women to talk that over with their physicians to decide when they should start and how often they should be getting their test done.
Bill: Sally, you touched on this a bit. How important a role, then, does age and family history play in getting a mammogram?
Sally: Well, it does play a huge role. If your mother or sister or aunts, if they all have breast cancer, then your risk does go up. We do have genetic testing that can be done that may demonstrate whether or not you really have hereditary inclination for breast cancer, but I can tell you as well, I have women that have never had any family history at all and they’re getting breast cancer. So, though that’s something that might trigger you to get your mammograms more often or sooner, every woman is at risk for breast cancer. So, certainly, I would not say to anyone, “If there’s no family history don’t worry about it,” because, frankly, women have breasts and you could be the one that gets breast cancer.
Bill: And that speaks to that early detection you were just talking about.
Sally: Right. I’m always amazed at how tiny they can find a cancer on mammography. When we have cancer conferences monthly and the radiographer here will show that picture of the mammogram and she can find them when they’re just like a pinhead. It’s just so tiny. Where when you consider if I’m doing a breast exam on myself, it’s going to be the size of a pea before I can find it. So, certainly, we want to catch them when we’re just as small as we can so that women don’t have to have their total breast removed. They can have a very minimal surgery and be cured of their disease.
Bill: Early detection is the key right there. So, for someone listening that may say, “Hey, you know what? I don’t have any breast cancer in my family. I don’t need to worry about this,” what would you say to them right now?
Sally: I would say, “If you have breasts, you need to worry about it.” And when I say “worry”, I don’t mean fret about it but definitely do something about it as in getting your own breasts checked yourself, having your doctor check them, and also getting that mammogram is very important because every woman is at risk. It’s not just those that have family history. And, I have seen that year after year that it’s women that have no family history, and they’re always surprised, “Hey, how did I get this?” But it happens.
Bill: So, again, that early detection certainly lessens the surprise when you’re talking about breast cancer. So, the procedure itself, how quick is it? Is it painful? I know my wife doesn’t like to go through it. What about the risk of radiation? Can you speak on those?
Sally: Sure. Actually, it’s a little uncomfortable but it’s certainly very short-lived. The uncomfortable part of it is just a very few seconds for doing the film and the amount of radiation is very small. So, that is certainly nothing to worry about. They have got these digital mammograms now that use very little radiation at all. So, that is not a worry.
Bill: Speaking of digital mammograms, can you explain what that is and why women with dense breasts should ask for a digital mammogram?
Sally: Certainly. When you have dense breasts, that just means the tissue is--certainly, when you look at the film, it looks white and the digital mammography also does a second look and certainly can identify what is that what we call “fibrocystic disease” or the dense breast versus cancer with the help of, of course, radiation or the imaging physician that’s looking at these films. The digital really enhances the breasts more.
Bill: So, why doesn’t every woman get a digital exam, then? Why are there differences?
Sally: Well, I think, there again, it depends on the facility. Some facilities might not be able to afford the digital exams or that second look exam that Schneck can offer. So, that would be the only reason I can think of why they would not offer that--because that is the standard highest level that you’d want to have in a mammography.
Bill: And, that’s what you do at Schneck?
Sally: Yes, yes. And I’m very proud of our imaging services here at Schneck. We actually are considered a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. How we did that was that we were certified in our mammography, in our ultrasound, certified in MRI as well as ultrasound and stereotactic biopsies. And in order to get certified and be named this Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, we actually had surveyors come in and review our statistics and review all our quality indicators to see, to determine that we were really a good center of excellence for anyone with breast issues. So, I’m very proud of our center for that.
Bill: And, Sally, how soon should someone expect to get results from their mammogram?
Sally: That would be within one business day they should be able to get that--certainly, within a day or two. Now, what happen is, if the imaging doctor actually sees something on your screening, they can do that diagnostic test that same day and actually even do the biopsy that same day. Some ladies don’t want to be that aggressive with it, and say, “No, let’s wait until my husband,” for instance, “can be with me before I do that.” So, we certainly allow for that. But women that are very anxious if they find a lump and we do a mammogram on someone that actually has an issue, they can get the biopsy that exact same day. So, it’s very, very quickly.
Bill: I was just going to ask you that. If something is found, how quickly can you address it, and you just answered it: that day if the patient wants it, but, of course, you will go by their wishes, and if they want to wait and bring their husband or a little of time to think about it, you will allow that as well.
Sally: Sure. Sure will.
Bill: And, Sally, can you just quickly close with--I know you were telling us some great things about Schneck Medical Center--Why should someone choose Schneck for their mammography needs?
Sally: Well, the Women’s Imaging Center has wonderful staff that are all certified in what they’re doing, and, as I say, as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, anyone can be assured that the equipment and the staff and all the quality indicators that would demonstrate good quality imaging is done here at Schneck. I think that’s why Schneck has always been very good at making sure by testing and surveyors coming from outside our agency, to assure that, yes, this is the best equipment, and yes, that the staff are well trained and all the quality indicators are met. So, I think that in itself speaks highly of our imaging department.
Bill: Well, Sally, thank you so much for your time today and talking to us about the Schneck Medical Center Breast Cancer Center. For more information, visit www.schneckmed.org. That’s www.schneckmed.org. This is Schneck Radio. I’m Bill Klaproth. Thanks for listening.