breast exams

What Can a Mammogram Detect?

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concept of what can a mammogram detect

In order to detect breast cancer – and prevent it – as early as possible, your breast cancer surgeon in Houston will want to provide a number of screenings in support of your best health. One of the most thorough and functional screening tests is called a mammogram, and it is typically done on patients with breasts to detect any anomalies within the tissue. What Can a Mammogram Detect? But what can a mammogram detect, exactly? How do they work to identify any instance of cancer? What treatments are typically prescribed based on the results of the mammogram? At Breast Institute Houston, we are invested in taking proactive measures with your health and well-being in mind. Keep reading to learn more about the mammogram process and see how you can sign up for preventative breast cancer screenings today. The Mammogram Process The procedure starts with an x-ray machine. While …

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Is It Normal to Be Afraid of a Mammogram?

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Young woman with anxiety for mammogram

Cancer screenings are nerve-wracking for many people. You’re faced with the possibility that something could be wrong, and being tested will make it impossible to ignore. The feeling can be so intense that individuals may put off or entirely skip routine screenings to avoid dealing with the recognition of their own mortality. So, is it normal to be afraid of a mammogram? Is It Normal to Be Afraid of a Mammogram? If this sounds at all familiar, then take comfort in knowing that it is a perfectly natural response. It’s so common that the experience is sometimes referred to as “scanxiety.” Dealing with “Scanxiety” If you’re struggling to gather the resolve to schedule and attend your next mammogram, there’s no reason to feel bad. What you’re experiencing is completely valid. The trick is finding ways to overcome your anxiety. That doesn’t mean you need to make it totally disappear. …

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Risks vs Benefits of Breast Biopsy

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Doctor with folded arms and breast health ribbon on her frock.

A breast biopsy is an important part of the diagnostic process. A mammogram or ultrasound can be used to detect a mass, but a biopsy is the only way to definitively determine the nature of the mass. As a normal part of the diagnostic process, a breast biopsy is a highly regulated procedure with relatively minor risks involved. Let’s look at the risks vs benefits of a breast biopsy. Risks vs Benefits of Breast Biopsy With that being said, a biopsy may be a completely foreign concept to you. In order to demystify the process and help you feel more comfortable, we have put together a brief risk-benefit analysis along with a basic explanation of what you may expect when you get your breast biopsy in Houston. Types of Breast Biopsy Before getting into the risks and benefits of breast biopsies, we need to discuss the different types. There …

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