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Mammography

• Overview
• Risks
• Results

Alternative Names:

Mammogram

What the risks are:

The level of radiation is low and any risk from mammography is exceedingly low. If you are pregnant and need to have an abnormality checked, the abdominal area will be shielded by a lead apron.

Special considerations:

Mammography is important because it can, in some cases, detect breast cancers before you can feel them with your fingers.

References:

Smith RA, Salsow D, Sawyer KA, et al. American Cancer Society guidelines for breast cancer screening: Update 2003. CA Cancer J Clin . 2003;53(3):141-169.

Saslow D, Boetes C, Burke W, et al. American Cancer Society guidelines for breast screening with MRI as an adjunct to mammography. CA Cancer J Clin . 2007 Mar-Apr;57(2):75-89.

Lehman CD, Gatsonis C, Kuhl CK, et al. MRI evaluation of the contralateral breast in women with recently iagnosed breast cancer. N Engl J Med . 2007 Mar 29;356(13):1295-303. Epub 2007 Mar 28.

Qaseem A, Snow V, Sherif K, et al. Screening mammography for women 40 to 49 years of age: A clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med . 2007;146(7):511-515.

• Review Date: 4/3/2007
• Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy. Previously reviewed by Jonathan Gross, M.D., Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (8/22/2006).

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