ER WAIT
iBy the time a woman can feel a lump in her own breasts, a cancerous tumor could possibly have grown larger and spread beyond the breast into other areas of the body. But, with regular mammograms, doctors can detect small tumors at a much earlier stage—years before you can feel them yourself—which significantly increases the opportunity for successful treatment.
While progress has been made across the board, including the development of less invasive surgeries, genetic testing and more advanced diagnostic technology, more than 40,000 women are expected to die from breast cancer this year. That means breast cancer is still one of the top killers of women in the United States, more than accidents, pneumonia or the flu. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S., other than skin cancers, and it is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.
That's the bad news. But, there's good news as well. Right now there are more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Breast cancer death rates are going down as a result of more women having mammograms to detect cancer during its earliest, most curable stages.
Jackson Purchase Medical Center is a Pink Ribbon Facility.
One in eight women will develop breast cancer at some point in their life, but the five-year survival rate for early detected breast cancers is 99%! Our caring staff uses the latest technology in 3D mammography in a comfortable and welcoming environment to help you stay on top of your health and give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing and being prepared. 3D mammography uses advanced technology to take images of your breast from different angles and combine them to create a more complete and accurate image of your breast than is possible with regular 2D digital mammography. This more complete and accurate image of your breast allows for earlier detection. Its higher accuracy also means less unnecessary return visits to the doctor for false positives. 3D mammography is particularly effective if you have dense breast tissue or have been given a previous cancer or lesion diagnosis.
3D mammography follows the same basic procedure that you are probably accustomed to with regular 2D digital mammography. 3D lasts just a few seconds longer, slightly extending the time of minor discomfort you may feel and the low-risk radiation exposure involved with all forms of digital mammography.
While most women are at risk for developing breast cancer, certain women have a greater chance. These are:
According the American Cancer Society:
Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer.
Unlike colorectal cancer, which can be prevented via the removal of polyps during a colonoscopy, there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer. But there are steps women can take that might reduce their risk of breast cancer or at least help them find it in its earliest, most curable stages. These steps include:
As always, you should consult with your personal primary care physician to determine the type and frequency of screenings that is best for you. If you need a primary care physician, call us at 270.251.4100, and we will get you connected to the right care.
For more information on how to schedule your mammogram, call our radiology desk at 270.251.4393 (A physician's order is required.)