I don't want an answer that someone looked up in a dictionary, I would like an answer from someone that actually knows what a "mammogram" is.......My mother has a mammogram scheduled next week....should I be worried about her health in any way? Helpful answers that stay in my guidelines only or you will be reported!
2006-07-07 15:00:36 · 17 answers · asked by d_dog72990 2 in Health ➔ Women's Health
A mammogram is an x-ray done of the breasts to make sure there are no abnormalities. No, there is no reason to worry. It is a common x-ray and should be done for women over a certain age every year or so. It's a very important and easy procedure and is vital for early detection of cancer or any other "abnormalities".
2006-07-07 15:03:53 · answer #1 · answered by amomentssunlight 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, I m a former mammographer & radiographer. A mammogram is a x-ray of the breast. Special film holders. film and equipment is used to visualize the breast using a low dose of radiation.
There are many reasona to do mammography.
A screening mammogram is done on women with no symptoms. It's just that, a screening. It can detect a cancer 5-15 years before a lump can be felt. the earlier a cancer is treated, the more treatment options are available and most likely to be cured
Usually woman start getting mammograms at aound age 35 to 40 and ever year after.
A diagnostic mammograph is done when there is a symptom, a lump, nipple discharge or a strong family history of breat cancer. (this meas a 1st degree relatiive like a daughter, mother or sister that has had breast cancer) The doctor may ask for additional views, or an ultrasound.
Please don't panic. Even if your mom has a symptom the chance of it being cancer is very low.
Contact the American Cancer Society for more information, or look on there web site
Best o luck to both of you
f
Alice RT(R) (M) (aka x-ray tech)
a
2006-07-07 22:21:00 · answer #2 · answered by Allie15 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A mammogram takes a picture of the woman's mammary gland to see if there are any abnormalities. There are 2 plates that press the breast almost flat. I would say the discomfort is the part you should be most worried about, but no more worried then if she was getting an x-ray.
2006-07-07 22:05:28 · answer #3 · answered by FaerieWhings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a mammogram is a type of x-ray that allows a radiologist to view the tissues of the breast. it will show any abnormalities, such as tumors or growths, which can then allow doctors to diagnose things such as breast cancer. mammograms do NOT mean that something is wrong with your health - it is a preventative measure to make sure that nothing DOES go wrong with your health. it is similar to having a yearly PAP smear or yearly blood tests to ensure that you dont have anything wrong with you. once a woman hits age 35 (some doctrs say age 40, but i have always been told 35 by the docs around me), they should be having a mammogram every year, because the risk of getting breast cancer gets higher as you get older. but dont worry - your mom is just doing what she should be doign to ensure that she will be around for a long time to come, and doing the best thing for her health by being proactive and ensuring that nothing is abnormal with her breasts :) Stacy, RN
2006-07-07 22:05:43 · answer #4 · answered by stascia 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once a women is over 40, she should have a mammogram done every year. It is a standard test to check for breast cancer.
If your mom is scheduled for one, she is probably just taking good preventative care of herself!
2006-07-07 22:06:55 · answer #5 · answered by kingskid418 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should be relieved and happy that your mom is getting a mammogram! It is a screening for abnormal or cancerous growth(s) in the breasts. Since she is getting one, it means that she takes her health seriously.
Any woman over 40 should get one at least every 2 years. (Many doctors recommend yearly.)
2006-07-07 22:10:20 · answer #6 · answered by Obama, 47 y/o political virgin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a diagnostic tool in the form of an x-ray doctors use to detect abnormalities in a woman's breasts. It is routine for women to have one a year after 40-45 years of age. There may be nothing wrong with you mother, just part of a routine exam.
Hope this helps.
2006-07-07 22:05:50 · answer #7 · answered by dcbowls 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when your mom arrives at the clinic, they will have her
remove her top and bra....they will lift one breast into the
mammography scanner and it will close down on her breast
as far as it can go, (yes it hurts!), and it will take an xray of the
breast...then they repeat the other side and it will a couple of
days for the dr to review the films and contact your mom about the results. they are checking to make sure there aren't any lumps or tumors that can become malignant, (cancer)
Its an annual visit women get usually after the age 35
2006-07-07 22:09:32 · answer #8 · answered by villazar701 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an examination of a woman's breast tissue, primarily to determine if there is any cancerous growths in the breast. Typically, a mammographic device presses the breast, much like a clamp would, to photograph the internal structure of the breast. As for concerns about her health, unless the physician detects anything unusual, you needn't worry. The entire proceedure is painless and uninvasive.
2006-07-07 22:06:59 · answer #9 · answered by TinaNJerry C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im a 43yr old mom,
and NO, THERE IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.
this is just a check up that women over 20yr should have done, it checks for lumps and different in size or shape,
its a machine that squishes your breast and xrays the breast on the inside.
your mom is doing this for her own health.
i have breast cancer in my family--my mom died from it, but most have fine with treatment,
and mammograms detect it early for early treatment.
and early detection in women over 40yr is the best prevention.
2006-07-07 22:12:01 · answer #10 · answered by cats3inhouse 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋