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Q: Is a mammogram more painful for women with small breasts? |
A: A mammogram requires that the
breasts be compressed briefly, which may be
uncomfortable for some women regardless of breast size. However, mammograms should not be
significantly painful. Breast compression is necessary to flatten the breast so that the
maximum amount of tissue can be imaged and examined. Patients should feel firm pressure
due to compression but no significant pain. Patients who feel pain should inform the
technologist so that the breast may be repositioned. Women who have sensitive breasts
may wish to schedule their mammograms at times of the month when the breasts are less
tender. In general, the week before and during menstruation is when breasts are most
tender, and the week after a period is when breasts are the least tender. Click here for more tips for a successful mammogram.
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Breast compression is
necessary to flatten the breast so that the maximum amount of tissue can be imaged and
examined. |
Q: Are small-breasted women less likely to get breast cancer because they have
less breast tissue? |
| A: The amount of breast tissue a woman
has does not affect her risk of developing breast cancer. Click here
to learn about the risk factors for breast cancer. |
Q: What are some alternative breast cancer screening exams for women with small
breasts? |
| A: Currently, mammography is the only
screening exam approved by the FDA to help screen for breast cancer in asymptomatic women
(women with no signs or symptoms of the disease). All women 40 years of age
should have a screening mammogram every one or two years. Women 50 years of age and older should receive screening mammograms every year. Mammography has been shown to detect 85% to 90%
of breast cancers. If a mammogram reveals a breast abnormality, the concern may then be
further assessed with other imaging tests (such as ultrasound)
or a biopsy may be performed. In addition, if a mammogram does not
reveal any breast abnormalities but the patient’s physician is still concerned,
further imaging tests may be ordered.
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Additional Resources and
References
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Updated: September 12, 2007
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