Breast cancer is not just about facts and figures; it is about mothers, sisters, daughters and wives.

The cold, hard facts of breast cancer are staggering. According to the American Cancer Society, it is the most common cancer among women and the second deadliest. This year, an estimated 182,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 48,000 will die from the disease.

What is a Mammogram?

A mammogram is an X-ray examination of the breast and is used to detect and diagnose breast cancer in women. The American Cancer Society recommends women to undergo a screening mammogram every year beginning at age forty and women with a family history of breast cancer are strongly advised to have mammograms at an earlier age. Because breast cancer is the leading cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death in women, it is so important to be screened and have early detection of any cancer. The earlier the detection, the better chance a woman has to recover. When breast cancer is caught in the early stages and treated appropriately, it is highly curable. The five-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is 96% and it is 78% for cancer that remains confined to the breast, however once breast cancer spreads beyond the breast and the lymph nodes, the survival rate drops to 21%.

What Can I Expect During a mammogram?

During a mammogram, a technologist takes two x-rays of each breast, after which a radiologist looks at the x-rays to see if follow up is needed. A mammogram may cause a feeling of tightness as the breast is squeezed, however this only takes a few seconds. It the pressure becomes too uncomfortable you can ask the technologist to stop. It is important to remember, you should not book your mammogram when your breasts are tender (for example around the time of your period). Although mammograms can be considered painful to some women most women only experience a small amount of discomfort.

What if My Mammogram is Abnormal?

If an abnormal mammogram is found further studies are run, such as an ultrasound to determine what the suspicious area is. An abnormal mammogram does not necessarily mean that a woman has breast cancer. Five to eleven percent of screening mammograms will result in an abnormal reading that requires further testing, and of these, 97% will later be found to be falsely positive (this means that the radiologist who read the mammogram saw a suspicious change in the breast but no cancer was found when the women returned for more studies).

What is The R2 Image Checker?

After a radiologist carefully examines your mammogram, the x-ray is fed into the Image Checker, a computer that scans the x-ray looking for anything abnormal. Thanks to this new technology radiologists have a "second set of eyes" to help detect cancer at the earliest, most treatable stage. With this technology we are hoping to continue to reduce the number of women who die from breast cancer.

When and Where Can I Schedule my Mammogram?

Contact Great Basin Imaging at 775-888-1180 to schedule your annual mammogram today! Patients who schedule or receive a mammogram in the month of May, in honor of Mother's Day, you will also receive a free gift.