Get Tested for Breast Cancer

The Basics A mammogram can help your doctor find breast cancer early. You have a better chance of surviving breast cancer if it’s found early. Mammograms can help find breast cancer early. You have a better chance of surviving breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. <ul > <li>Women ages 40 to 49: Talk with your doctor about when to start getting mammograms and how often you need them.</li> <li>Women ages 50 to 74: Get mammograms every 2 years. Talk with your doctor to decide if you need them more often.</li> </ul>What is a mammogram? A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. Mammograms use a very low level of x‑rays, which are a type of radiation. A mammogram is very safe. When you get mammograms, the nurse will place your breasts, one at a time, between 2 plastic plates and take pictures of them. Mammograms may be uncomfortable for some women, but they don’t hurt. It takes only about 20 minutes to get mammograms. What if the doctor finds something wrong with my breast? Mammograms let the doctor or nurse look for small lumps inside your breast. If a lump is found, the doctor or nurse will do other tests to find out if it’s cancer. The doctor or nurse may take a small bit of tissue from the lump for testing. This is called a biopsy (“BY-op-see”).What is breast cancer? Abnormal cells in the breast can turn into cancer. Breast cancer can spread to other parts of the body.About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some time during her life. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer in women. The good news is that many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early.Talk with your doctor or nurse if you notice any of these changes:<ul><li>A lump in the breast</li><li>A change in size, shape, or feel of the breast</li><li>Fluid (called discharge) coming out of a nipple</li></ul>Visit these Web sites to learn more:<ul><li><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/breastcancer/htm/index.htm" >Breast Cancer Presentation</a></li><li><a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/breast" >What You Need To Know About Breast Cancer</a></li></ul>

Take Action! Call your doctor or clinic today to schedule a mammogram. Find out when and how often to get mammograms.Talk with your doctor. For women age 40 or older, talk with your doctor about when to start getting mammograms and how often to get them.If you are a woman ages 50 to 74, talk with your doctor about getting mammograms every 2 years. You may choose to start getting mammograms earlier or to get them more often. Together, you and your doctor can decide what’s best for you.<ul ><li><a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTool.aspx?toolId=31">Use these questions to start a conversation with your doctor about mammograms</a>.</li><li><a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTopic.aspx?topicId=51">Tell your doctor if anyone in your family has had breast or ovarian cancer</a>.</li><li>If you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, <a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTool.aspx?toolId=55">use these questions to talk with your doctor about genetic testing</a>.</li><li>Ask about ways you may be able to help lower your breast cancer risk.</li></ul>What about cost? Mammograms are covered for women over age 40 under the <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/rights/preventive-care/index.html" >Affordable Care Act</a>, the health care reform law passed in 2010. Depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to get mammograms at no cost to you.Check with your insurance company to find out what’s included in your plan. <a href="http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2010/07/preventive-services-list.html" >For information about other services covered by the Affordable Care Act, visit HealthCare.gov</a>.You can still get mammograms even if you don’t have private insurance.<ul ><li><a href="http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dcpc_Programs/default.aspx?NPID=1" >Find a program near you that offers free or low-cost mammograms</a>.</li><li><a href="http://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mammograms.html" >Find out how often Medicare pays for mammograms</a>.</li></ul>Get support. Use these tips to get support when you get mammograms.<ul ><li>Talk with other women who have had mammograms to learn more about what to expect.</li><li>When you go to the doctor for mammograms, ask a family member or friend to go with you.</li></ul>Make sure to ask when you will get your mammogram results. When you get the results, ask the doctor or nurse to <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/screening/understanding-breast-changes/page6" >explain what the results mean</a>.<a href="http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/ViewTopic.aspx?topicId=98">Get your well-woman visit every year</a>. Talk to your doctor or nurse about other important screenings and services to help you stay healthy.

Start Today: Small Steps <ul><li>Make a list of questions to ask your doctor about breast cancer.</li><li><a href="http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=2473139">Listen to this podcast about the importance of getting mammograms</a>.</li><li>Call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) to get free information about breast cancer.</li></ul>