Mammogram

1) Every woman is at risk for breast cancer

2) One of every 8 women will get breast cancer in her lifetime.

3) Did you know?

Most breast cancers occur in women who have no identifiable risk factors.
Finding breast cancer early means a greater chance of survival and more options for treatment.
Most breast cancer occurs in women with no family history of the disease.

Understand your risk factors

Age- risk increases as you age. About 80 percent of women with breast cancer are over age 50 when diagnosed.

Genetic Mutations - about 10 percent of breast cancer cases are directly related to inherited mutations (changes) in breast cancer related genes

Family history of breast cancer - having one first degree relative (mother, sister or daughter) with breast cancer approximatley doubles a woman's risk. Having two first-degree relatives increases your risk 5-fold. Blood relatives can be from either your mother's or father's side of the family.

Personal history of breast cancer - if you have cancer in one breast, your risk of developing a new cancer in the other breast or another part of the same breast is 3 to 4 times greater than a woman who doesn't have cancer. This is not the same as the recurrence of a first cancer.

Previous breast biopsy - a previous breast biopsy diagnosed as proliferative breast disease without atypia or usual hyperplasia slightly increases breast cancer risk, 1.5. to 2 times. However, a previous breast biopsy of atypical hyperplasia increases breast cancer risk by 4 to 5 times. A diagnosis of fibrocyctic change without proliferative breast disease does not affect risk.

How to prepare for your Mammogram:

Do not wear powder, deodorant or perfume. Wearing of slacks/shorts is recommended. PLEASE bring prior mammogram films, if they are availiable