Comments on: Will Having a Mammogram Before 40 Increase Risk for Breast Cancer? http://www.lifeafterbreastcancer.org/will-having-a-mammogram-before-40-increase-risk-for-breast-cancer.php Surviving, Thriving & Living ... Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:40:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Tarkarrihttp://www.lifeafterbreastcancer.org/will-having-a-mammogram-before-40-increase-risk-for-breast-cancer.php/comment-page-1#comment-222 Tarkarri Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:15:52 +0000 http://www.lifeafterbreastcancer.org/will-having-a-mammogram-before-40-increase-risk-for-breast-cancer/#comment-222 No, but at your age a mammogram is likely to be inconclusive. An ultrasound (sonnogram) will give a much clearer indication of any problems. However, what you are describing does not sound like breast cancer, the pain sounds like a pinched nerve that may require investigation if it recurs. The itchiness sounds more like a reaction to a new soap or laundry powder. No, but at your age a mammogram is likely to be inconclusive. An ultrasound (sonnogram) will give a much clearer indication of any problems.

However, what you are describing does not sound like breast cancer, the pain sounds like a pinched nerve that may require investigation if it recurs. The itchiness sounds more like a reaction to a new soap or laundry powder.

]]> By: Williamhttp://www.lifeafterbreastcancer.org/will-having-a-mammogram-before-40-increase-risk-for-breast-cancer.php/comment-page-1#comment-221 William Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:07:22 +0000 http://www.lifeafterbreastcancer.org/will-having-a-mammogram-before-40-increase-risk-for-breast-cancer/#comment-221 No, it won't. The American Cancer Society recommends a screening mammogram for all women when they reach age 35, and though you're only 33 it isn't too early to go ahead and get one. But first, talk to your physician about what you've experienced. It may well be that you don't need that mammogram just now. When I trained as an x-ray technician, I learned that those who do mammograms receive intensive additional training in that procedure precisely because it utilizes ionizing radiation. The newest techniques have reduced the patient's exposure to that radiation to levels far, far below what was common just thirty years ago. In fact, if you took a commercial flight from LaGuardia airport in New York to Chicago, you'd receive several times the radiation level during that flight than you'd receive from routine mammography - even though that exam requires more than one exposure to the x-rays. Again, do tell your physician what you felt. Together, you both will decide whether or not mammography is appropriate. No, it won’t. The American Cancer Society recommends a screening mammogram for all women when they reach age 35, and though you’re only 33 it isn’t too early to go ahead and get one. But first, talk to your physician about what you’ve experienced. It may well be that you don’t need that mammogram just now.
When I trained as an x-ray technician, I learned that those who do mammograms receive intensive additional training in that procedure precisely because it utilizes ionizing radiation. The newest techniques have reduced the patient’s exposure to that radiation to levels far, far below what was common just thirty years ago. In fact, if you took a commercial flight from LaGuardia airport in New York to Chicago, you’d receive several times the radiation level during that flight than you’d receive from routine mammography – even though that exam requires more than one exposure to the x-rays.
Again, do tell your physician what you felt. Together, you both will decide whether or not mammography is appropriate.

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