Mammogram.docx - Introduction A mammogram is an x-ray...

Introduction
A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast and breast tissue. Mammography is the
most widely used screening modality for the finding of breast cancer. This test can detect breast
cancer up to three years before a lump or nodule is ever felt (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 2017). There is evidence that it reduces breast cancer mortality in women aged 50 to
69 years. Early detection of breast cancer with screening mammography means that treatment
can be started earlier in the course of the disease, possibly before it has spread. Results
from randomized clinical trials and other studies show that screening mammography can help
reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer among women ages 40 to 74, especially for
those over age 50 (Ravesteyn et al, 2015).
Mammogram
A mammogram is considered gold standard testing when detecting breast cancer. It is
recommended that every woman over the age of forty and women that carry the genetic Breast
Cancer (BRCA) gene receive yearly mammograms. Breast cancer is rated the second highest
cancer in women (Dong, Wang, Dong, Mu, & Ma, 2017). For women with no sign of breast
cancer, Mammogram screenings are used. This screening consists of x-ray pictures, or images, of