Breast Cancer Awareness- what is Mammography Day?

Every year on the third Friday of October Mammography Day is celebrated as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Women are specially recognized largely because breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women, therefore it is recommended that women aged 40 and up schedule their mammography appointments every two years. However, if women are at higher risk for breast cancer, they are encouraged to schedule their appointments annually instead. Factors that may increase the risk of breast cancer include: heavy smoking, excessive drinking, or a family history of breast cancer. There are also ways women can decrease their chances of being diagnosed with breast cancer, such as: moderating alcohol intake, avoiding cigarettes, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy diet. Early detection means early treatment and the difference between life and death. Mammography screening is a technique using low-energy x-rays to detect accumulation of calcium salts in a body tissue otherwise known as calcification, which is a sign of the beginning stages of breast cancer. In the late 1950s, Robert Egan developed an innovative method to screen mammograms for the first time. In 1959 he published his results and later released a book called “Mammography” in the early 1960s. His contribution began to be known as “The Egan Technique” which allowed doctors to detect hardening masses within the breast’s tissue. When getting a mammogram, the breast is compressed via a mammography unit. This compression evens out the thickness of the breast tissue to decrease the amount of scattered radiation and prevent blurring from motion. Women are discouraged from wearing deodorant, lotion, or talcum powder during these screenings as they may show up on the x-ray as calcium spots. The procedure is said to be painful, or highly uncomfortable, which is the main reason many women might not return or schedule continuing exams.