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Ask any woman if she looks forward to having a mammogram and the answer is probably no!

But ask her if a 15-minute appointment every two years is worth it if it helps save her life, she’s bound to say yes!

Someone who gets asked about mammograms a lot is Valerie Pennick, national breast health educator with The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. Valerie is a qualified radiation therapist who joined the Foundation after 30 years’ working in oncology in Canada, Australia, the USA and New Zealand.

In her radiation therapy career Valerie has seen many women with breast cancer treated successfully because the cancer was diagnosed early.

“When I talk to women all over the country I ask them to please use the free screening programme that we’re lucky enough to have in New Zealand." BreastScreen Aotearoa provides free mammograms to women with no breast symptoms aged between 45 to 69 every two years.

Here are some of the most common questions Valerie gets asked about mammograms:
Q. How can a mammogram help save my life?
A. A mammogram can pick up a breast cancer as small as the size of a pea. That’s well before it can be felt as a lump. A breast cancer caught early is much easier to treat, can reduce the need for a mastectomy, and increases the chance of survival.

Q. Do mammograms pick up all breast cancers?
A. No, but they do pick up 90% of all breast cancers. That’s why it’s also very
important for women to keep an eye on their breasts and see their doctor if they
notice anything unusual like a lump, rash, dimpling, discharge or newly inverted
nipple. For women between 45 to 69 years of age, a clinical breast examination
by a doctor is also recommended in between mammograms.

Q. How can I make a mammogram more comfortable?
A. If you are pre-menopausal, book in for your mammogram at the end of your period. Taking one or two Panadol the hour before your appointment can help lessen any discomfort.

Q. Why does a mammogram need to flatten the breast?
A.The breast needs to be spread out and compressed so that anything abnormal (that may be hiding in the folds) can be seen clearly by the specialist reading the mammogram x-rays.

Q. Is the radiation level safe when having a mammogram?
A.Yes it is. The dose is so tiny that the benefits far outweigh any risks of not having a mammogram. Also, there are strict Ministry of Health policies regarding the dose of radiation delivered, and every mammography machine in the country undergoes stringent quality-assurance checks.

Q. Is thermography as good as a mammogram?
A. No. A mammogram is very sensitive and specific and can detect a breast cancer as small as 4mm, whereas thermography is not as sensitive and specific in detecting early breast cancers.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS
• If you have no breast symptoms and are between the age of 45 to 69, enrol
for your FREE mammogram today. Phone BreastScreen Aotearoa on 
0800 270 200.
• See your doctor if you have noticed anything unusual in your breasts.
• In between mammograms, have a clinical breast examination by your doctor.		 
 
For more information phone
The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation
on 0800 902 732 or visit www.nzbcf.org.nz


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