Download Mammogram screening Bro:Layout 1

What every
woman should
know about
Screening
Mammograms
What is a screening mammogram?
• A mammogram is a low dose X-ray
of the breast.
• The X-ray can find changes in the
breast, even when the changes are
too small for you or your health care
provider to feel or to see.
• For most women, the mammogram
results will be normal.
Why have a screening mammogram?
• In Ontario, breast cancer is the most
common type of cancer in women.
As women get older the chance of
getting breast cancer rises.
• Mammograms can help to find small
breast cancers before there are signs
and symptoms. If breast cancer is
found at an early stage there is a
high rate of successful treatment.
• As well, for many women,
finding cancer early may allow
for more treatment options, such
as breast conserving surgery or
less aggressive treatment.
When should women have screening
mammograms?
• In Ontario, it is recommended that
women aged 50 and older have a
screening mammogram, generally
every two years.
• Evidence shows that women aged
50 - 69 benefit most from regular
mammograms.
• The evidence for mammography
for women aged 40 - 49 is not as
strong as for women aged 50 - 69.
Therefore, in Ontario it is recommended that women in their forties
talk to their health care provider to
make a personal decision.
• The time to go for screening is
when you do not have any breast
problems. If you are ever worried
about any breast problem, see
your health care provider.
What will happen during the
mammogram?
• You will stand in front of an X-ray
machine specially designed for
mammograms.
• The technologist will place your
breast on a plate that holds the
X-ray film.
A second plate will slowly come
down on top of your breast to
spread out your breast tissue. This
allows the technologist to get a
clear picture of your breast with
the lowest dose of radiation.
• You will feel some pressure on your
breast, but only for a few seconds
while the mammogram is being
taken. This pressure does not harm
your breast tissue.
• Four X-ray pictures will be taken,
two of each breast.
• The technologist will review the
pictures to make sure they are of
good quality. If needed, the
technologist will take extra pictures.
•
How does it feel?
• You will feel some pressure on
your breast. It feels similar to a tight
blood pressure cuff.
• A few women experience some pain
but it lasts for only a few seconds. If
you feel pain during the X-ray, tell
the technologist. The technologist
may be able to adjust the pressure.
The two of you can work together so
you are as comfortable as possible.
Some tips…
• Most women’s breasts are tender the
week before and after their period.
Book your mammogram for a time
when your breasts are not so tender.
• Some women take a mild pain relief
pill, such as the kind you would
take for a headache, about one hour
before the appointment. Only do
this if it will not affect any other
medicines or any health concerns
you may have.
• Some experts suggest having
less caffeine for two weeks before
the appointment to help reduce
tenderness.
Where should you go to have a
mammogram?
• To ensure you receive a good quality
mammogram, go to a site that has
been accredited by the Canadian
Association of Radiologists (CAR)
Mammography Accreditation
Program.
• All Ontario Breast Screening
Program (OBSP) sites have CAR
accreditation.
• To find a CAR-accredited site, visit
www.car.ca or call the Canadian
Cancer Society Cancer Information
Service at 1-888-939-3333.
What is the Ontario Breast
Screening Program?
The Ontario Breast Screening
Program (OBSP) is a program of
Cancer Care Ontario. It provides
high-quality mammography services
for women 50 years of age and older.
The OBSP provides:
• High-quality mammograms in
CAR-accredited sites;
• Results of the screening appointment
within two weeks to both you and
your health care provider;
• Help to set up extra tests or referrals
if your results suggest that they are
needed; and
• A reminder letter when it is time
to return for your next screening
mammogram. Usually, this is every
two years. Women over the age of
74 do not receive a reminder letter.
However, they are welcome to call
for an appointment after they have
discussed it with their health care
provider.
Services are
free-of-charge
for women.
How to make an appointment
at the OBSP
Women aged 50 and older can:
• call to make their own appointment
at 1-800-668-9304, or
• be referred by their health care
provider.
What should you do to prepare for
your mammogram?
• Wear a two-piece outfit so you will
only have to remove your top. Do
not use deodorant, body lotions, or
talcum powder under your arms or
near your breasts. These products
can show up on the mammogram.
• If you think you might need help in
understanding information, you can
ask a family member or friend to
come to the appointment with you.
What does it mean if more tests
are needed?
• About one out of ten women will
need more tests because their
mammogram is not clearly normal.
The OBSP or your health care
provider will help set up these tests.
Most women needing more tests will
not have breast cancer.
• In most cases, the follow-up tests
are either special mammography
views and/or breast ultrasounds.
Sometimes, other procedures such
as biopsies are needed.
What about digital mammography?
• Like regular mammography,
digital mammography uses X-rays
to find small cancers. The breast is
compressed for the same length of
time. Digital mammography displays
images on a computer rather than
on film.
• Digital mammograms can be helpful
for screening women with dense
breasts.
How effective are screening
mammograms?
• Mammograms are the best way to
find breast cancer early. But, they are
not perfect. They may miss some
cancers. However, many studies show
that regular mammograms reduce the
risk of dying from breast cancer.1
• Some cancers that appear on a
mammogram may never progress to
the point where a woman has symptoms during her lifetime. Therefore,
some women may have surgery or
treatment for a breast cancer that
would never have been life threatening.
• Not all cancers found at screening can
be cured. However, most women
(more than 95 percent) are alive and
well five years after early detection
and treatment of breast cancer.
1
World Health Organization (2002). IARC Handbook for Cancer
Prevention, vol. 7. Breast Cancer Screening. IARC Press. Lyons.
Are mammograms safe?
Yes. Mammograms are done using
small amounts of radiation.
This resource is jointly produced, funded and
distributed by the Canadian Breast Cancer
Foundation – Ontario Region and the Ontario
Breast Screening Program.
What some OBSP clients have to say:
“The staff is efficient and considerate.
They made me feel comfortable having
the mammogram.”
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
As the leading national volunteer-based
organization dedicated to creating a future
without breast cancer, the Canadian Breast
Cancer Foundation works collaboratively to
fund, support and advocate for relevant and
innovative breast cancer research; meaningful
education and awareness programs; early
diagnosis and effective treatment; and a
positive quality of life for those living with
breast cancer. For more information about
the work of the Foundation’s Ontario
Region, please visit www.cbcf.org/ontario
“The staff is wonderful. I was nervous
and they made me laugh and feel very
comfortable.”
To request more copies of this booklet,
please contact:
• The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
Early detection
saves lives
– Ontario Region
Toll-free 1-866-373-6313 or
[email protected]
• The Ontario Breast Screening Program
Toll-free 1-800-668-9304 or
www.cancercare.on.ca
• The Canadian Cancer Society Cancer
Information Service at 1-888-939-3333
Distributed with the help of the Canadian Cancer Society
271128
Did you know?
• Because of early detection and better
treatments the death rate for breast cancer
in Canada is at its lowest since 1950.
• Most women with breast cancer do not
have a family history of the disease.
• Eight out of 10 breast cancers are found in
women aged 50 or over.
What can you do?
• Know how your breasts normally look and feel.
• Know what breast changes to look for, such as:
• a lump or dimpling,
• changes in your nipple or fluid leaking
from the nipple,
• skin changes or redness that do not go away,
• any other changes in your breasts.
• Look and feel for changes.
• If you notice any changes, see your health care
provider. Most changes are not cancerous but
you should have them checked right away.
• If you are 40 - 49, talk to your health care
provider about having a mammogram.
• If you are 50 or older, go for a free mammogram
at the Ontario Breast Screening Program.
To learn more or to make an appointment at the
site nearest you, call the Ontario Breast Screening
Program toll-free 1-800-668-9304 or visit
www.cancercare.on.ca/obsplocations
06/09