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Friday, October 15, 2004 has been designated National Mammography Day in the United
States. On this day, approximately 680 American College of Radiology-accredited
mammography facilities will offer discounted or free mammograms
to help promote the importance of early breast cancer detection. Mammography, which
involves taking special x-ray images of the breast, is currently the best exam to screen
for breast cancer and detect the disease in early stages when the chances for successful
treatment and survival are the greatest.
The American Cancer Society and several cancer organizations recommend that all women
40 years of age and older receive yearly screening mammograms. There are currently over
10,000 mammography facilities in the U.S. that are accredited by the American College of
Radiology (ACR). In addition to yearly mammograms, all women should practice monthly breast self-exams and receive regular physician-performed clinical breast exams.
In 1993, President Clinton proclaimed National Mammography Day to be the third Friday
of October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month). In addition to this designated day, many
mammography facilities offer discounts on screening mammograms throughout the month of
October.
To learn which mammography facilities are participating in National Mammography Day
and/or offering discounted mammograms throughout October, women are encouraged to contact
one of the following organizations:
- American College of Radiology: 800.227.5463 or visit http://www.acr.org/
- American Cancer Society: 800.227.2345
- The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation: 800.462.9273
- National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO): 888.80.NABCO (800.806.2220)
Presently, mammography is the only exam approved by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) to screen for breast cancer in women with no symptoms of the disease,
such as a breast lump.
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Benefits of Mammography |
- Detects small breast cancers at early stages, greatly improving chances for successful
treatment and survival.
- Clinical studies in the U.S., Sweden, the Netherlands, and elsewhere have suggested that
deaths from breast cancer could be reduced if screening mammography were performed
annually on all women in their forties.
- The FDA reports that mammography can find 85% to 90% of breast cancers in women over 50
and can discover a lump several years before it can be felt.
- Breast cancers found by screening mammography in women in their forties are generally
smaller and less advanced, with less spread to lymph nodes or other organs, than cancers
found in women not having annual mammograms.
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If a breast abnormality is detected with screening mammography,
additional breast imaging tests may be performed to confirm or further evaluate the
abnormality. A breast biopsy may also be performed to remove and analyze a portion of the
breast tissue to determine whether it contains cancer cells. When breast cancer is caught
and treated while it is still confined to the breast ducts—a type called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)—the cure rate is close to
100%. The chances for successful treatment significantly decrease when breast cancer is
not detected until advanced stages.
Additional Resources and References
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