Earlier detection.
Studies suggest that 10 - 20 percent of breast cancers detected by self-examination were not visible on film x-rays.

• Digitally imaging the breast may improve a physician’s ability to detect small tumors.
• When cancers are small, the woman has more treatment options that may lead to a cure.  

Improved care.
According to a National Cancer Institute study, digital mammography was significantly better in screening these women:

• Under age 50
• Of any age with very dense or extremely dense breast tissue
• Pre- or perimenopausal women of any age  

For women who fell into these three subgroups, the study also found that:

• Lesions detected by digital mammography and missed by film included many invasive cancers and medium- and high-grade in situ lesions.
• Many of these cancers were confined to the breast.
• These are the lesions that must be detected early to save more lives through screening.  

Optimal Results
Before having your mammogram, the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that you:

• Do not schedule your mammogram for the week before your period if your breasts are tender at this time.
• The best time for a mammogram is one week following your period.
• Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under your arms or on your breasts on the day of the exam.
• These can appear on the mammogram as calcium spots.
• Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist performing the exam.

Ask when your results will be available; do not assume the results are normal. Follow up with your doctor to get your results.

To learn more about mammograms, click here.