Go for a mammogram, detect breast cancer early

Oct 19, 2011

There are millions of microscopic cells which are living units that together form all the living organs in the body. When these cells become abnormal, they grow and spread quickly throughout the body and cause cancer.

 What is cancer? 

There are millions of microscopic cells which are living units that together form all the living organs in the body. When these cells become abnormal, they grow and spread quickly throughout the body and cause cancer.
 
Normal cells divide and grow and after a while die. Abnormal cells, on the other hand, do not die; they multiply and clump together, and this in turn forms what is known as a tumour. 
 
World Health Organisation statistics show that in Uganda every year 28,000 people are cancer patients. Of these, only 1,700 access treatment. Among women, cancer of the cervix and Kaposi’s sarcoma are the most common and third in line is breast cancer.
 
The incidence of breast cancer in Uganda has doubled from 11:100,000 in 1961 to 22:100,000 in 1995. Unfortunately, the cases are often seen in late stages thus the outcome of treatment is inevitably unsatisfactory. It is, therefore, imperative that efforts are made to detect the disease in its early stages.
 
How to detect cancer
One way to detect breast cancer is by routine check for tumours using breast self-examination, which any woman can and should do in her bathroom or bedroom in front of the mirror and using her finger pads. However, some tumors may not be felt or detected using finger pads, this is where another breast cancer screening method, mammography, comes in handy. A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast that helps to assess if someone has breast cancer or not. 
 
During a mammogram, you stand in front of an X-ray machine designed for mammography. A technician places your breast on a platform that holds the X-ray film and positions the platform to match your height. The technician helps you position your head, arms and torso to allow an unobstructed view of your breast.
 
Screening mammograms usually involve two x-ray pictures, or images, of each breast. The x-ray images make it possible to detect tumors that cannot be felt using the finger pads. Screening mammograms can also find micro calcifications (tiny deposits of calcium) that sometimes indicate the presence of breast cancer. This form of mammogram is especially popular because the cancer is arrested before it spreads. Women are, therefore, encouraged to have regular screening mammograms.
 
Diagnostic mammogram is used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other sign or symptom of the disease has been found. Signs of breast cancer may include pain, skin thickening, nipple discharge, or a change in breast size or shape; however, these signs may also be indicators of benign (non-cancerous) conditions.
 
A diagnostic mammogram can also be used to evaluate changes found during a screening mammogram or to view breast tissue when it is difficult to obtain a screening mammogram because of special circumstances, such as the presence of breast implants. 
 
Diagnostic mammography takes longer than screening mammography because more x-rays are needed to obtain views of the breast from several angles. The technician may magnify a suspicious area to produce a detailed picture that can help the doctor make an accurate diagnosis.

Who needs a mammogram?
Any woman 35 years and above should go for screening mammograms every one to two years because statistics show that this group is more vulnerable to breast cancer. Women have a high probability of getting cancer if: 
 
They have had breast cancer in one breast, they are then more likely to have breast cancer in the other breast as well so they should have regular screening to catch the cancer in its early stages and treat it before it spreads.
 
It is advisable for you to have screening mammograms by age 30 if your family (say your mother, sister, or uncle) had breast cancer, especially after the age of 50. You should be alert for any signs and go for regular screenings because you are more susceptible to getting breast cancer.
 
Research has shown a relationship between alcohol consumption and some cancers (including breast cancer). People who drink heavily are at a higher risk so refraining from alcohol or drinking moderately is advisable. 
 
The incidence of breast cancer among African women is increasing. However, early detection can lead to effective treatment and a positive prognosis. About 90% of patients survive for many years after diagnosis when breast cancer is detected at an early stage.
 
Presenting yourself early for treatment may result in more effective treatment, leading to a reduction in pain and suffering and a significant decrease in the loss of life. Regular self-breast examination and  mammograms are key to early detection. 
 
Unfortunately, finding cancer does not always mean saving lives. Even though mammograms can detect malignant tumours that cannot be felt, treating a small tumour does not always mean that a woman’s life will be saved. A fast-growing or aggressive cancer may have already spread to other parts of the body leaving the patient defenseless.
 
What must I do before a mammogram?
The best time to book for your mammogram is at least a week after your menstrual period, because some women experience slight tenderness of the breasts before their period.
 
On the day of your mammogram, do not use deodorant, talcum powder or lotion on your breasts or underarms because these

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