Why have mammograms?
Extensive research over decades has proven that mammograms save lives. Thus having annual mammograms is recommended as a best practice.
Annual mammograms allow doctors to detect breast cancers at the earliest possible stage. Unfortunately, some aggressive cancers can exponentially enlarge in even a year which is why you need to do the test every year. In the old days, many breast cancers were only diagnosed when a patient presented with a large tumour which had already metastasized throughout her body. Most of these patients died within months to a year. These days, the majority of breast cancers are found when they are less than 2cm in size. (largely due to mammograms and ultrasound.) The prognosis for those patients is 90% survival at 5 years.
How much do mammograms cost?
The cash price for a mammogram, as linked to most medical aids, is usually between R1550 and R1770. Previously, almost all the medical aids paid the full cost on an annual basis, regardless of your particular plan. Unfortunately, many of the medical aids have cut back on account of financial considerations and are only paying for a mammogram every second year. In order to ensure patients have affordable access to a mammogram every year, many practices are offering cash discounts for the “intervening” year when the medical aid won’t pay. Discounts of up 10 – 30% can be expected. Some practices may also be amenable to cash discounts on other procedures such as ultrasound, biopsy and MRI.
Are there any medical reasons or conditions for which women should not have mammograms?
Pregnancy is the only condition in which a woman over the age of 35, is advised not to have a mammogram.
Can those women who have breast implants have a mammogram?
Breast augmentation does not increase or decrease your chances of getting breast cancer. Your risk remains the same. You must have a mammogram prior to getting surgery (or ultrasound in patients younger than 35) since it would be very unfortunate to be diagnosed immediately after having the surgery. Thereafter annual mammograms are advised like for everyone else.
The mammogram, although it does compress the breast a bit, will NOT burst or displace the implant. And the implant will not prevent us from seeing a cancer on mammogram or ultrasound.
How is a Tomosynthesis mammogram different to a normal mammogram?
A tomosynthesis mammogram or 3D mammogram is obtained with a special mammogram machine that takes multiple images while moving in an arc around the breast. The resulting compilation of images can be viewed in 3D allowing doctors to see right through the breast. It makes cancers easier to see and benign lesions more obvious.
Learn more about Mammograms from Kempton Park Mammography
If you are looking for a mammogram near me visit Kempton Park Mammography.