How can Mammography help me?
Mammography is primarily used to aid in the detection, diagnosis and assessment of breast disease in women. When cancers are detected in the early stages, there are generally more treatment options and a cure is more likely.
According to the Canadian Breast Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Canadian women, accounting for an estimated 30% of all cancer cases. However, mortality rates from breast cancer are on the decline, as a result of earlier detection through organized mammography screening programs and improved therapies following surgery.
Current guidelines from the American Cancer Society (ACS), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommend screening mammography every year for women, beginning at age 40-69. Screening beyond the age of 70 should be performed in consultation with the woman's physician, depending on her general health and outlook.
