Even though there are many jokes about getting mammograms, having breast cancer is nothing to laugh about. One of the easiest ways to keep your risk of developing breast cancer low involves early detection. Mammograms are a surefire way to know what is going on in your body. While mammograms aren’t the most pleasant, they are necessary for every woman to ensure her health and safety.

Any woman can be at risk for breast cancer and because the chances of that risk only grow higher as the years go by, it is vital that every woman gets a mammogram done early on. Many women have the misconception that if no one in her family has suffered from breast cancer that makes her unsusceptible. That train of thinking can be dangerous. While having a family history of breast cancer makes it easier to track who may get it later on in life, those without any prior family history of breast cancer can develop it, too. For that reason alone, it is important to get a mammogram done. This test can catch breast cancer in its earliest stages. If cancerous cells are found early but haven’t attacked the lymph nodes, the chances for survival are 97% and 78% if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Those odds are much more favorable than finding the cancer later on.

Mammograms are a common procedure that doesn’t take very long to do. You may be asked to disrobe and put on the common medical gown, with an opening in the front. You will stand up and face an x-ray machine, where a technologist will place your breast between two plastic plates. The plates will then come together and compress. This is the painful part but is necessary in order to get a clear image to read. The entire process typically takes between 10-15 minutes. After that you are done and your results will be available for you to discuss with your doctor.

If a lump is found as a result of your mammogram, your doctor will feel for the lump with their hand and access the condition of the lump and the tissue surrounding it. An ultrasound test may be needed to get an image of how large the lump is. Needle biopsy may be performed in order to get fluid from the mass for further testing.

In addition to receiving a mammogram, checking your breasts yourself at home is also another way to practice early detection. Learn to be familiar with the way your breasts feel and look in appearance. Do a self-breast exam often to feel for any lumps or other unnatural occurrences. If you find anything out of the ordinary, make an appointment with your doctor. By regularly scheduling clinical breast exams and doing your own examinations, you can effectively decrease your odds of developing breast cancer.

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