Maintaining your women’s health depends, in part, on effective diagnostic tools. One of the diagnostic tools that should be on your list of regular exams is a mammogram. Mammograms are an excellent tool to detect breast cancer. In fact, mammograms have saved countless lives as early detection is a major factor in outcomes for those diagnosed with breast cancer. But, how accurate are mammograms? Below you will find helpful information about mammograms and their effectiveness. Knowing how accurate mammograms are is important to achieving peace of mind.
How Accurate Are Mammograms?
Mammograms are an excellent diagnostic tool for detecting breast cancer. Due to advancements in medical technology, mammograms are highly effective in detecting breast abnormalities before they can be felt during a physical breast exam. The diagnostic accuracy for women of all ages is 78%, but that increases to 83% for women over the age of 50. Diagnostic accuracy means that breast cancer stays accurately diagnosed after a mammogram.
Despite the effectiveness of mammograms, there are some cases that result in false positives. Roughly 6-8% of tests result in a false positive. A false positive means that the results of your exam were positive, but you don’t actually have breast cancer. This can make some people uncomfortable, but there are very few diagnostic medical tools that result in 100% accuracy.
Importance of Regular Testing
Errors can occur and it does not mean that you should skip your regular mammogram. In fact, medical professionals have further diagnostic tools for those who test positive for breast cancer, including a diagnostic mammogram, screening ultrasound, or needle biopsy. Additional screening is necessary after a breast cancer diagnosis. For women who have both a mammogram, in addition to a clinical exam, 4% more cancers prove found. While the false positive can cause worry and fear, it is much better to get your regular mammograms due to the effectiveness of the diagnostic tool the vast majority of the time. A mammogram is a life-saving diagnostic tool for women.
Factors That Impact Your Results
Several factors impact your mammogram results. One of the most notable factors is breast density. Those with dense breast tissue often require follow-up testing. A mammogram combined with a screening ultrasound can help provide more accurate results than a mammogram alone. The screening ultrasound can be prescribed by your provider. However, you can request additional testing if you are concerned about the density of your breast tissue.
In addition to dense breasts, research has shown several other factors that can impact the results of your mammogram. Those who have had hormone replacement therapy (“HRT”), have had breast surgery for non-cancerous conditions, and a high body mass index (“BMI”) have all been found to negatively impact the results. This does not mean you should avoid getting a mammogram due to the risk of a false positive. It just means that you may need additional testing.
Regular Mammograms and Your Health
Due to the accuracy of mammograms, it remains important to have tests regularly. Your medical provider can help you determine when you should get breast imaging services based on your current health, family history, and any factors that may place you at a higher risk for breast cancer. For someone at an average risk for breast cancer, we generally recommend you have your first mammogram at age 40.
Depending on your results and certain risk factors, medical providers suggest getting an annual mammogram. If you are over 40 and have not had your first mammogram, it’s time to set up an appointment. Contact the team at BreastGyn Imagers today for any of your breast or gynecological imaging screenings. They are skilled in teleradiology in Texas and are passionate and dedicated to women’s health.