Breast cancer is a condition which is becoming more common, which experts say could be attributed to the fact that women don’t catch it early enough to treat it effectively. There are a number of things to be aware of in order to catch breast cancer as early as possible, from screening tests and knowing who to go to when you get tested.
Get a mammogram when you are younger, rather than when you are older
If you’re over 40, it’s time to start getting regular mammograms According to the American Cancer Society, women should get annual mammograms from the age of 40 as this is the best way to spot breast cancer early – an early detection offers the best chance of curing the disease.
Choose the right man for the job!
You can get a mammography at any hospital, but getting the right diagnosis after the test is incredibly useful in increasing your chance of detection when needed. Be sure to choose a doctor who is experienced in reading mammography and has worked with a number of patients previously, as their experience provides them with an added advantage of identifying any problems in your reports. This is where an inexperienced physician may fail.
Pick digital over conventional
A digital mammography is far more accurate when it comes to detecting any problems in women with dense breast tissue This is especially the case when found in women below the age of 40. Furthermore, digital scans do a better job of detecting cancers when compared to the traditional film mammography. – so always choose digital!
Schedule the date for your test carefully
Many women are put off by the idea of getting a mammography because they think it will be painful – but it’s important to remember that this test shouldn’t be painful in any way . In order to reduce the risk of pain, try to schedule your test after your period so that the breast tissue is less sensitive. During the test, if you do experience pain and discomfort, be sure to tell the technician about it so that they can help you feel more comfortable. If the test has really gone really badly, you could try taking medication available at a pharmacy to help relieve some of the pain and inflammation. If you’re worried about the level of pain you’re experiencing during your test, speak to your GP or technician about your worries and they will be able to find a way to make the test less uncomfortable for you.
Don’t let the fear of cancer stop you
Everyone getting a test regarding their health is scared by the result; that much is expected and perfectly natural. But a large number of women fear what the results may be so much that they don’t get tested at all – this is not a reason to avoid testing. If your test is abnormal in any way, you may be called to repeat the test but this doesn’t automatically mean that you have cancer. There are a number of reasons why your test results may have been out of the ordinary, so there’s no reason to worry – your technician will discuss the results with you and explain what they mean. But not all abnormalities mean you have cancer.If you have any worries about your risk of breast cancer and think you may have symptoms, speak to your GP as soon as possible.
