To do or not to do…. That is the question when it comes to Mammograms! Recently, the media has given a lot of attention to the topic of “having or not having” mammograms, so we thought that we’d try to shed some light on the question.

National organizations differ in their recommendations of when to begin and how often mammograms should be done. While some organizations are recommending less frequent screening, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and The American Cancer Society concur on breast cancer screening
recommendations: Start at age 40 and have a mammogram every year. It is important that you discuss how the different recommendations apply to your unique situation.

If you find a lump, don’t hesitate to come in and have it evaluated as soon as possible. Most of the time, the lump is benign (not cancerous) but it is ALWAYS good to “check it out.” When you find a lump a NORMAL MAMMOGRAM IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO EVALUATE IT. You need to see your practitioner.

Susan Vendeland, ARNP

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