Routine Gynecologic Care

Mammography is one of the most essential medical tests women can schedule in their lives. Whether a mammogram is done once per year for screening purposes or more often due to family history or previous unusual results, patients are encouraged not to skip their appointments.

However, it is common for people to put off scheduling their next mammogram because they have not experienced any issues indicating a problem.

In some cases, mammograms follow unusual symptoms. Patients may experience nipple discharge, unusual soreness, or even a lump that they notice while going about their daily routine.

But in most cases mammograms are recommended for routine screening in women without any particular symptoms. In patients who believe they are healthy, it can be easy to skip the mammogram because nothing appears to be wrong.

In reality, this can be a dangerous approach. It is essential to understand that regular screening is irreplaceable, even if you have no symptoms.

Early Detection Increases Positive Outcomes

One of the most important reasons why women should continue to be screened for breast cancer, even if they have no symptoms, is because breast cancers can begin to develop deep in the tissues of the breast.

In these early stages, they do not typically cause symptoms; all the same, they are growing and multiplying. A mammogram can detect these early-stage cancer growths before they become severe.

When women skip screenings, they face multiple risks: the development of undetected cancer, the spread of cancer to other organs and body systems, and even damage to tissues in the breast.

Studies repeatedly show that the most important factor influencing a patient’s survival is how early the cancer is detected. In women who are screened regularly to detect cancerous growth soon after it begins, the survival rate can be as high as 99%. However, this number starts to drop the longer the cancer remains unnoticed.

Screening Creates a Habit

Another reason regular screening is essential even if you have no symptoms is because scheduling and attending a yearly mammogram creates a valuable health habit.

Women who are used to getting their mammograms are less likely to forget and more likely to continue making appointments. Positive habits such as this support good health over an entire lifetime.

As an added benefit, women who make a habit of going to the same doctor can build a strong relationship with that medical team. This makes appointments more seamless and gives patients a more significant ownership role in their healthcare and outcomes.

Patients Develop a Health History

One factor contributing to positive health outcomes when patients get regular mammogram screenings, an element frequently overlooked, is the patient’s ever-expanding health history.

Even if a mammogram finds nothing remarkable, the imaging of the breast tissue is stored in the patient’s file. This snapshot in time holds valuable information, not just in the present but in the future.

Suppose that a patient has normal mammograms multiple years in a row. Then, during the most recent mammogram, the doctor notices an area that may be unusual but does not directly seem problematic.

Because that patient has been getting their regular screenings, even though nothing seemed wrong, the doctor has years of history to look back on and compare that unusual spot to. This can help them better understand whether the breast tissue change is attributable to age, habits, cancerous development, or something else.

The presence of a complete health history such as this also makes patients’ lives easier. Doctors who can compare multiple years of imaging and other health data may not need to recommend a biopsy where it may otherwise be necessary for a patient who has not been seen before.

Patients are encouraged to share their health information, not just their breast scans, with the medical team in charge of their mammography care. Data such as hormone levels and past medication usage can all impact how the team approaches the mammogram and its interpretation.

Get Your Regular Mammography Screening

Getting a mammogram takes time, but investing just an hour or two once per year can save weeks, months, or even years that might be claimed due to the development of cancer and its impact on lifespan.

Women over 40 should undergo a mammogram once per year unless they have genetic factors that increase their risk of breast cancer. Even if you feel normal or have not found any lumps during at-home self-exams, scheduling a mammogram with professionals is still essential.

The Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness team strives to make this process as seamless and straightforward as possible so you can get back to what you love to do. Contact Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today to schedule your mammogram!

Mammography is an irreplaceable part of any woman’s life, as it is often the frontline defense in the fight against breast cancer. However, the direction of mammograms is changing, and 2D mammography may be on its way out in favor of 3D mammograms.

Because this technology is still new in many locations, it is entirely normal for women to be unfamiliar with this form of breast cancer screening. 3D mammograms offer numerous advantages that stand out above the results that 2D could provide.

By switching to 3D mammography or even combining 2D and 3D imaging, patients can enjoy a more accurate set of results that can catch breast cancer even earlier than tests in previous years.

Here is what any woman needs to know about the role of 3D mammography in modern breast cancer screening and what to expect during an appointment with a new 3D system.

How Is a 3D Mammogram Different?

As its name implies, a 3D mammogram takes a three-dimensional picture of the breast tissue. While a 2D mammogram produces a flat picture, a 3D mammogram creates an image file that can be rotated to view different angles. Think of it as the difference between looking at a picture of a baseball and holding a baseball in one’s hand.

Having a complete, three-dimensional baseball in the palm of one’s hand so that it can be turned, flipped over, and rotated allows for many more details to become visible that might have been obscured or gone unnoticed in a flat, 2D picture.

Are 3D Mammograms Better?

3D mammograms are changing the way patients can learn from their mammography appointments. Some of the many advantages of a three-dimensional mammogram include:

Higher Detection Rate

When patients utilize a 3D mammogram (a digital breast tomosynthesis mammogram, or DBT), they are more likely to see cancer detection earlier than if using a 2D scan. This effect persists regardless of the age group. In other words, DBT finds cancerous tissue earlier, when it is smaller and easier to remove or treat.

Fewer Follow-up Appointments

Another advantage of 3D mammography is that it correlates with a lower rate of follow-up appointments. Because the 3D image is often so clear, patients can be directed immediately to their next steps, whether a biopsy, treatment, or simply scheduling next year’s mammogram for continued prevention.

Reducing the number of follow-up appointments is an important part of decreasing cancer occurrence in women. It is common for women not to attend follow-up appointments because of time, financial, or accessibility constraints, which may lead to potentially delaying care until next year’s mammogram.

Less Discomfort

Many patients generally report that a 3D mammogram is less uncomfortable than a 2D machine. This could result from the 3D scanner’s ability to capture a detailed image without compressing the breast tissue as much. However, pain tolerance and experience vary from person to person, so some may find that a 3D mammogram does not feel all that different from its 2D counterpart.

Less Radiation

One often overlooked advantage of 3D mammography paired with the reduction in follow-up care is the resulting decrease in radiation exposure. While the level of radiation a patient is exposed to during a mammogram is well within safe limits, limiting a patient’s exposure as much as possible is still beneficial. 3D mammograms produce low-dose X-rays, minimizing a patient’s contact with radiation whenever possible.

However, this effect is more impactful given the statistic that 3D mammograms also reduce the need for follow-up appointments. This can spare patients an entire second dose of radiation during an additional scan, thereby reducing that patient’s overall exposure.

Some locations will do a 3D mammogram alongside 2D imaging, which can produce a higher radiation level than 2D or 3D mammography alone.

However, such exposure is still entirely within safe limits, and the resulting images can provide as much detail as possible for patients who are at increased risk of breast cancer development or those who have had cancer before.

Try 3D Mammography for Your Next Appointment

A mammogram should be a part of any woman’s regular healthcare routine. However, she may have to choose between a facility that offers 2D mammography or a 3D DBT machine. Before making that decision, it is important to understand how 3D mammograms can be different!

From higher detection rates to fewer follow-up appointments, there are many potential advantages to trying a 3D mammogram. Contact Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today to schedule your mammogram appointment and stay on track with preventive breast cancer screening.

Healthy breast tissue is essential for reducing the risk of cancerous development. While genes play some role in breast cancer risk (as does the frequency of preventive care, such as mammograms), lifestyle choices also have a significant impact.

Exercise, nutrition, and sufficient vitamin intake are all important steps in lowering the risk of breast cancer. However, it can be unclear which foods are beneficial and which may increase risk instead of decreasing it.

While every diet should contain various foods, specific categories or types are especially valuable in reducing cancer risk. Bear in mind, whenever possible, food should be consumed as close to its origin as possible; for example, whole foods such as fruits are preferable over artificially sweetened fruit juices.

It is helpful to get a baseline knowledge of food groups so you can make smart choices about nutrition.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Vegetables, in general, are a good inclusion in any diet, but cruciferous vegetables are incredibly impactful. “Cruciferous” means vegetables in the same family as cabbage; think broccoli, bok choy, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, turnips, and radishes.

These vegetables contain valuable nutrients, such as carotenoids, glucosinolates, indoles, and isothiocyanates. These compounds (especially indoles and isothiocyanates) correlate with a decreased risk of breast cancer because they actively inactivate carcinogenic compounds, protect DNA strands from damage, and reduce inflammation in the body.

Other Vegetables and Fruits

It is hard to go wrong with any vegetable or fruit incorporated into the diet. The substances in fruits, such as antioxidants, decrease cell damage and boost the immune system to combat any problematic cells it encounters.

Studies indicate that various types of cancer are affected by fruit. Fruit (especially dried dates and figs) are correlated with a risk decrease ranging from just a few percentage points to more than 60% relative risk.

“Fatty” Foods

Most people know that fat is not the best inclusion in anyone’s diet. Still, fewer are aware that not all fat has a problematic effect. While saturated and unsaturated fats (and especially trans fats) in excess may be troublesome for heart health and other health indicators, fats called omega-3 fatty acids can actually slow cancerous cell division and decrease inflammation.

Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in salmon, chia seeds, walnuts, and soybeans; generally, any nut or seed will be a good source of omega-3s.

Whole Grains

Carbohydrates serve as quick fuel for the body; in today’s modern world, it is effortless to find them. However, some carbohydrates offer more benefits than others. Whole grains, which include more parts of the grain than refined products, offer fiber, vitamins, and minerals that can be hard to find from other sources.

Fiber, especially, is important as a mitigating agent against breast cancer. It keeps the gut microbiome healthy, impacting metabolism and overall health. It also keeps people feeling full longer, serving as a powerful force in weight control (and thus breast cancer control, as excess weight leads to increased estrogen production). In some studies, consumption of fiber held a significant inverse correlation with breast cancer development.

Hydration

When people think of nutrition, they tend to think of food. However, water is just as important! Good hydration can reduce the risk of breast cancer in a roundabout way: through the colon. Higher water consumption prevents constipation, which allows bodily waste (including free estrogen) to exit the body.

Without sufficient water intake, the gut moves this waste more slowly, allowing the excess estrogen to remain in the body longer. As a result, estrogen levels can become unbalanced, causing breast tissue proliferation that boosts the chances of cancer development.

Alcohol Intake

Alcohol is a regular part of many people’s lives. From an occasional drink at a work happy hour to a regular daily habit, consumption of alcohol can find its way into a person’s life in many ways. However, studies consistently show that alcohol consumption is correlated with a 30% to 50% increase in breast cancer risk.

One of the simplest ways to have a significant positive impact on breast cancer risk is to eliminate alcohol from the diet or significantly decrease consumption.

Unite Nutrition With Preventive Screening

Your daily choices regarding what to consume and how to hydrate can have a lasting impact on your breast health and, by extension, the health of your entire body. Pair smart nutritional choices with other beneficial habits, such as participating in routine mammogram exams to spot cancer in its earliest stages. Contact Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness today to schedule your next mammogram!

Getting a mammogram should be a regular part of most women’s lives. But for many, the process brings with it high levels of stress. Even when problematic tissues are not found, and the results are clear, many women still struggle with feelings of anxiousness, tension, and even high blood pressure during this time.

While this is a normal response, reducing this stress response can help women continue leading fulfilling lives in the interim. The anxiety surrounding a mammogram can occur before, during, or after the appointment, or a mix of all three.

Knowing why this stress occurs and what to do about it can ease the minds of patients and make mammography a more approachable part of life.

Why (and When) the Stress Hits

The human stress response is a built-in reaction to situations that may be perceived to cause harm. As a result, it is expected to feel stress during and after many medical procedures, including mammograms. Many people also feel anxiety before dental visits, general practitioner appointments, or even blood draws.

Depending on who is being studied, somewhere between 41% and 69% of women undergoing a mammogram report feeling stress at some point during the process. If this describes you, you are not alone.

Before a Mammogram

Patients often feel stress prior to their mammogram appointment due to:

• Difficulties fitting an appointment into their busy schedules
• Unfamiliarity with the mammogram process
• Anticipation of negative outcomes
• Fear of pain or discomfort

During a Mammogram

Within the mammogram procedure itself, women can continue to feel stressed by:

• Perceived pain or discomfort
• Confusion over unclear instructions
• Being in a medical environment (sounds, smells, etc.)
• Working with a practitioner whose personality they do not align with

After a Mammogram

The period following a mammogram is typically associated with the highest levels of stress. There are many reasons for this, including:

• Fear of negative results, such as a cancer diagnosis
• Anticipation of a scheduled callback
• Nervousness while waiting for result reporting

Ways to Cope With Anxiety and Stress Surrounding a Mammogram

Mammograms might be a stressful time, but much of that anxiety often comes from fear of the unknown. Relieving anxiety requires that patients learn more about the process. Many patients report a significant decrease in anxiety when they know why it is essential and what to expect.

• Understand the reality: One of the most important things patients can do to ease their stress about getting a mammogram is to keep themselves grounded in reality. Depending on location and other factors, only around six out of 1,000 patients who undergo mammograms will receive a diagnosis of breast cancer. Patients have a high chance of a favorable outcome.
• Look to the future: For some, the realization that their chance of breast cancer is low does not help ease stress. However, keep in mind that even among those who are diagnosed with breast cancer, mammography can catch it while it is very new and easier to treat. The five-year survival rate for breast cancer is over 90%, and when it is caught early, that rate climbs to 99%. The vast majority of patients will make a full recovery.
• Embrace coping strategies: Some women look at the statistics and find that their stress levels do not change. Try being compassionate to yourself during this time. Keep thoughts balanced and try not to let them spiral out of control; bear in mind, any adverse outcomes causing stress have not happened yet, and the odds are that they will not. Speak to friends, enjoy hobbies, and reschedule any significant projects or other stress sources until the mammography results are ready.
• Choose how to get results: Waiting for results can be one of the most stressful aspects of mammography. However, now that technology allows online portals, the results are uploaded for patient access. Choose whether checking the patient portal or waiting for a doctor callback works better for you. Some people want to know right away and check the portal. Still, this information may be full of medical jargon that patients could misinterpret. Waiting for a doctor’s call could take an extra day or two. However, it might provide information that is easier to understand and a recommendation of what to do next.

Get Compassionate Care From a Friendly Mammography Team

Mammography is meant to find problematic tissues in the breast. It is normal for women to feel stress while anticipating what might happen if the results are concerning. Bear in mind, even if a mass is spotted in the breast, chances are it is harmless.

To help manage your stress, work with a medical team that treats you with sensitivity and compassion. Contact Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today to schedule your mammogram.

Many women already know that mammograms should become a regular part of their healthcare routine starting at around 40 (or earlier for those with certain risk factors, such as the BRCA gene). However, not everyone who needs a mammogram receives one, and those who do might not realize how much a mammography can positively impact their lives.

The primary purpose of a mammogram is to identify the early signs of breast cancer, such as unusual tissue or small growths. In addition, individuals who undergo mammography see improved health outcomes in other areas that, at first glance, seem entirely unrelated to mammography. Why does this happen? A few studies have revealed some of the potential reasons.

How Are Mammograms Related to Broader Healthcare Outcomes?

Research is increasingly showing that mammograms may be more related to better health outcomes in non-breast cancer areas than doctors initially thought. In fact, studies show that people who got mammograms as scheduled were around 20% less likely to die of any cause—not just breast cancer. There are a few reasons why this might be the case:

Greater Trust in Providers

Whether an individual trusts their medical provider is a significant factor in how often they are willing to visit a doctor’s office. When women undergo regular mammograms, they see their providers more often, establishing a history and rapport with them. This makes it easier and less stressful to visit them later; thus, they are more likely to schedule appointments whenever needed.

As a result, people who get mammograms regularly build a stronger network of supportive physicians they can see whenever an issue arises. This increases the likelihood of identifying a health problem—even if it is not breast cancer—as early as possible.

A More Preventive Mindset

Studies indicate that when people attend their preventive care visits, they are more likely to take a proactive attitude toward their health. For instance, in a study of people’s opinions on health care, 73% said that they would rather have a full-body CT scan to check for health issues than receive $1,000. Less than a third of respondents said that they would stop attending preventive care appointments in the future.

In other words, people who get screenings such as mammograms tend to be healthier because they are consistently willing to undergo preventive care. This can apply to many areas of health beyond breast health.

A Trend Toward Healthy Habits

Similar to some people’s willingness to continue with preventive care, many who receive mammograms benefit in other health areas because they generally tend to make healthier choices. Those who invest time and energy into preventive care often understand that many health factors are within their control, so they proactively schedule screenings.

This attitude goes beyond just breast health and feeds into other positive habits. Everything from eating a diet rich in nutritious foods to getting plenty of exercise and enough sleep all become more common on average in individuals who schedule mammograms.

Patients who are still unsure whether a mammogram is worth the effort should consider that taking that first step can be the gateway to many other beneficial health attitudes and changes!

Increased Likelihood of Repeat Visits

Another reason mammography care translates to better overall preventive health participation is that patients are more likely to visit the doctor repeatedly. When patients learn the benefits of mammography and its role in identifying risks early, they find the power to take control of their health.

This optimism is infectious, and patients often quickly learn to value the peace of mind that comes with regular visits to the doctor. This encourages greater active participation in one’s own health, which can form the foundation of a regular screening schedule—not just for breast cancer but for other things, too.

Patients who visit the doctor regularly are more likely to see positive outcomes, from diseases caught in their earliest stages to greater access to medical information that can change their lifestyle choices.

Invest in a Mammogram for Whole-Body Health

A mammogram is an invaluable tool for ascertaining the health of the breast tissue—but getting a mammogram is also correlated with better health outcomes and greater participation in preventive healthcare in general.

Thus, when you invest in spending some time getting a mammogram, you could be doing more for your health than you realize.

The professional team at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness is always happy to support your healthcare pursuit so you can be empowered to care for your body. Contact Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness today to schedule your mammogram appointment.