Dr. David Scovill can't stress enough that mammograms can lead to early detection of breast cancer, which can save lives.
"Early detection is key and leads to a larger chance of the patient being completely cured," said Scovill, who works at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center's Breast Care Center.
The national standard is to start mammograms at age 35 and do a follow-up at 40. After age 40, women should have yearly tests, he said.
"There are some caveats, such as if you feel something abnormal, have nipple discharge or any other problems," Scovill added.
The entire mammogram process only takes 30 minutes, said the Breast Care Center's Donna Sigmon.
"The exam itself is only about two minutes, so you're not in here long at all," she said. "Mammograms are also not painful, which is a common misconception, but our patients are becoming more educated about that."
"Some women have more sensitive breasts than others, so we try to learn about the patient and make the process as easy as possible," she said. "If we know more beforehand, we can work together and make it a painless ordeal."
Patients usually receive the results of their mammograms in two to four weeks. Abnormal results will be followed up with a biopsy or ultrasound.
"Typically five to 10 percent of patients are called back and most of them merely have a cyst or minor abnormality which is not serious," Scovill said. "Carcinomas are in the minority, and we might find eight to 10 a month, so in about one percent of our patients."
Those considered at greater risk for breast cancer are women who have a history of breast cancer in their immediate family, women who are considered obese and and womenwho have had a lumpectomy in the past.
Scovill stressed that regular mammograms and early detection are vital.
"Statistics do say that one in eight women will be touched with breast cancer in their lifetime," Scovill said. "There is no need for this to be a terminal disease — find it early and it can be cured."
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