Exams & Testing

Are Mammograms Painful?

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Woman standing waiting for a mammogram.

Once a woman turns forty, it’s common to begin annual mammograms in order to screen for breast cancer. Women with a strong family history may begin their annual examinations at an earlier date, whereas others might wait until they are 45 to 50. Regardless of when you choose to begin your annual examinations, it’s normal to have some anxiety around the procedure. One of the most common questions is whether or not mammograms are painful. Luckily, it generally isn’t. Are Mammograms Painful? A mammogram essentially works like a normal x-ray with a few tweaks. A mammogram machine uses a lower level of radiation to get its images, but that necessitates the use of a plate on either side of your breasts. The two plates gently pressing your breast spreads your breast tissue out enough to get a clear image without the use of stronger radiation. As a result, you …

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Talking With Your Doctor about Surgery Options

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Talking with your doctor about surgery options

There are a lot of thoughts going through your mind after an abnormal mammogram. There’s the possibility of cancer and the question of what treatment is right for you, but it’s a good idea to slow down and take a little time to process everything during those early days. Talking with your doctor about surgery options is vital. When you visit your breast specialist in Houston, we work closely with you along every step. From the first Houston mammogram to the following steps, we are always here for you. Talking With Your Doctor about Surgery Options First of all, keep in mind that your abnormal mammogram may not indicate cancer. You will need further testing to establish whether or not you actually have breast cancer and to see how far it has progressed. Second, if it turns out you do have cancer, the process has improved quite a bit …

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How to choose a breast doctor?

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There is no such thing as a stress-free breast cancer diagnosis. Even the most well-prepared individuals should expect to take some time to re-assess their priorities and put together a plan for moving forward. To get started, you first need to consider your care team. This should be a combination of medical professionals and people close to you that you can count on for real support. Your chosen team will form the foundation for your treatment plan, so choose wisely. It all starts with finding the right doctor. How to Choose a Breast Doctor? Learning how to choose a breast doctor may take a little effort, but will prove worth it in the long run. When looking for the best breast cancer doctor Houston has, try visiting Breast Institute Houston. We provide a range of services for women in the area. For examinations and the best mammogram Houston has …

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Can Breast Cancer be Misdiagnosed?

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Can breast cancer be misdiagnosed?

Over the past few decades, medical professionals have significantly improved their ability to diagnose and treat breast cancer. As long as you do a self-examination about once a month and start annual mammograms at age 45, you and your medical care team should be able to detect any possible cancer long before it becomes life-threatening. Unfortunately, when it comes to distinguishing whether or not a lump is cancerous, we are still working within an imperfect system. So can breast cancer be misdiagnosed? We provide patients with the best breast cancer surgeon Houston has available. Contact us to learn more about what we can do for our patients. Being Diagnosed: Can Breast Cancer Be Misdiagnosed? If your initial mammogram reveals the presence of a lump, then your doctor will want to proceed with further diagnostic testing. They may do a second mammogram to get a better look at the suspected …

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When to Get a Mammogram

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Knowing when to get a mammogram is vital

Considering our mortality is an exercise that most of us would prefer to avoid. As a result, undergoing regular, preventative care can be a stressful practice, but it is also necessary if we want to enjoy more time on this earth. Mammograms are no exception. Knowing when to get a mammogram is essential to your health. In a lot of cases, people think of mammograms as something reserved for older women. Historically this was the case. Women would often wait until they were in their 50s or 60s to get their first mammogram, but the perceived increase in breast cancer cases in younger women is changing that perception. At Breast Institute Houston, breast cancer prevention is our highest priority. Shifting the Bar A recent report out of Yale states that about 11% of breast cancer patients are under the age of 45. It may not seem like a lot, …

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How to Read Your Mammogram

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breast mammogram in houston

Getting routine breast exams is an important task for women that is often swept to the way-side. Many people avoid going to a doctors office altogether because they’re scared of receiving bad news. However, mammograms are extremely important because they help detect breast cancer early on. Reading a mammogram is difficult and always best explained by a radiologist or your doctor. It’s important to know what you are looking for and what it may mean for your health. Here’s a better look at how you can better read your own mammogram in Houston.

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