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Misinformation surrounding mammograms can lead to anxiety. Get the facts about this important part of preventive care.

It鈥檚 not uncommon for women in their late 30s to consider what their first mammogram will be like. If you鈥檙e a woman over 40, you鈥檝e probably had at least one, with another coming due within a year. And if you鈥檙e a man or a younger woman who鈥檚 experienced possible breast cancer symptoms, such as a lump, bloody nipple discharge or dimpling of the skin, you may need one as well.聽

There are a lot of anxiety-inducing myths about mammograms, and women who鈥檝e had bad mammography experiences can sometimes fear going back. Here are five facts to help clear things up so you can schedule your mammogram appointment with confidence. 

1. Compression is needed but shouldn鈥檛 be very painful.

鈥淐ompression is an essential part of mammography, significantly impacting image quality and the ability to detect breast cancer,鈥� explains Mary Yamashita, MD, chief of breast imaging and director of radiology research for women鈥檚 health with the 喵咪社区 Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of 喵咪社区. 

Inadequate compression can play a big role in poor image quality, causing blurriness. While it can be unpleasant, compression holds the breast in place and separates overlapping tissue to provide a clearer image so that small, hidden cancers can be detected. It also reduces the amount of radiation that the patient is exposed to during the process. 

All that said, communication between the patient and technologist can help achieve compression with minimal discomfort. 

2. The discomfort is brief and often manageable.

A common question doctors receive is, 鈥淒oes a mammogram hurt?鈥� The consensus among some patients is that they鈥檙e uncomfortable 鈥� but only briefly. Of course,鈥痓reast sensitivity鈥痗an vary according to different factors, such as hormone fluctuations. If you鈥檙e worried about a painful mammogram, in advance. They can ease your worries and may have tips to help you prepare and minimize discomfort.聽

3. There are two types of mammograms: 2D and 3D.

In 2011, 3D mammography, also known as digital breast tomosynthesis, was approved by the . Unlike conventional 2D mammography, which takes a single image of each breast,鈥�3D mammography takes multiple images from various angles. This allows radiologists to examine the breast 1-mm slice at a time. This technique is highly effective for all women, but it is especially beneficial for those with dense breast tissue (which contains more glandular tissue than fatty tissue). 3D mammography reduces the number of patients who need to return for additional evaluation and is exceptionally accurate. 

鈥淪everal research studies have demonstrated that 3D mammography can detect up to 40% more cancers compared to 2D mammography alone,鈥� says Dr. Yamashita, who is also a professor of radiology at the Keck School of Medicine of 喵咪社区. 

4. It鈥檚 recommended to start mammograms at age 40.

While there has been some debate on the appropriate age for a mammogram, the鈥疉merican College of Radiology鈥痳ecommends that women with average risk start getting yearly mammograms once they turn 40. Depending on your risk factors, you may need to start earlier.  

鈥淲omen at higher risk for breast cancer include those with genetic mutations or a strong family history, especially in a mother, sister or daughter,鈥� Dr. Yamashita says. 

Regardless of age, anyone experiencing new breast-related symptoms should get a mammogram and possibly an ultrasound as soon as possible. 

鈥淪igns of breast cancer may include a lump in the breast or under the armpit, thickening or swelling of the breast, changes in size or shape of the breast, bloody nipple discharge, redness or flakiness around the nipple, and dimpling of the breast skin,鈥� Dr. Yamashita says. 

5. Mammograms save lives.

鈥淢ammography is the best tool available for screening breast cancer. It can detect tumors before they can be felt by hand, increasing the chances of successful treatment,鈥� Dr. Yamashita explains. For example, in the early stages where cancer cells are鈥�confined to the milk ducts, the likelihood of being cured is very high. 

Taking all of these factors into consideration, the expertise of the radiologist interpreting your mammogram is essential. When choosing a provider, review their credentials and confirm whether the facility offers 3D mammography. 

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