Q. How can mammograms be considered the leading way of "early detection & prevention" when most breast lumps aren't cancerous?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Mammograms are the leading way of "early detection & prevention" because they can detect changes in breasts even before a woman discovers any physical changes in her body. Mammograms can detect lumps that aren't palpable and this is significant since many lumps don't turn out to be cancerous.
Studies have shown that mammograms decrease the risk of breast cancer death by up to 40%. This is an impressive statistic but it's important to understand how mammography works when it comes to early detection and prevention. The radiologist performing the exam uses specialized equipment and low levels of radiation to produce images of each breast from different angles, then creates an image for comparison with any prior exams. If a lump or other abnormality appears on the image, further testing may be prescribed such as a biopsy or additional imaging studies.
In addition, mammograms are often used in combination with physical exams known as clinical breast examinations (CBEs). During CBEs, doctors perform manual palpation of both breasts (and sometimes lymph nodes under the arm) looking for abnormalities not seen on x-ray films like masses or tenderness that could suggest potential issues such as infection or inflammation. When used together, these two methods provide more complete information about breast health than either method alone would give.
Therefore, although most lumps found through mammography will turn out not to be cancerous, early detection through regular screening remains critical in order to identify any suspicious changes before they become more serious conditions requiring more invasive treatment options later on down the road - which makes mammograms incredibly valuable tools when it comes to preventing and detecting serious medical conditions like breast cancer.
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