BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Compass Medical Radiology is an ACR Mammography Accredited Facility.

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the breast, it is called breast cancer. Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women.

A breast is made up of three main parts: glands, ducts, and connective tissue. The glands produce milk. The ducts are passages that carry milk to the nipple. The connective tissue (which consists of fibrous and fatty tissue) connects and holds everything together.

LUMPS IN THE BREAST

Many conditions can cause lumps in the breast, including cancer. But most breast lumps are caused by other medical conditions. The two most common causes of breast lumps are fibrocystic breast condition and cysts. Fibrocystic condition causes noncancerous changes in the breast that can make them lumpy, tender, and sore. Cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that can develop in the breast.

WHAT IS A NORMAL BREAST?

No breast is typical. What is normal for you may not be normal for another woman. Most women say their breasts feel lumpy or uneven. The way your breasts look and feel can be affected by getting your period, having children, losing or gaining weight, and taking certain medications. Breasts also tend to change as you age. For more information, see the National Cancer Insititute’s Understanding Breast Changes: A Health Guide for Women.

THE BEST PROTECTION IS EARLY DETECTION

No order is necessary for a screening mammogram. Screening mammograms are considered a preventative annual screening exam and as such, are not subject to co-pays.

CALL (617) 481-3020 TO SCHEDULE YOUR MAMMOGRAM TODAY!

NOW OFFERING! THE GENIUS™ 3D MAMMOGRAPHY™ EXAM

As we emerge from this pandemic and resume elective procedures and annual mammography screenings, Compass Medical Radiology is taking drastic measures to ensure all our patient’s safety as we reopen for breast cancer screening.

THE MORE ACCURATE GENIUS EXAM

Just Got More Comfortable

Mammograms are a woman’s best defense in detecting breast cancer early, but we know that the fear of pain causes many women to delay scheduling their annual mammogram. That’s why Compass Medical now proudly offers the Genius™ 3D Mammography™ exam that combines better, earlier breast cancer detection with the improved comfort of the SmartCurve™ breast stabilization system. Welcome to a mammogram that is more accurate and more comfortable.*Please be aware you must be eligible for a 3D mammography exam.

CALL (617) 481-3020 TO SCHEDULE YOUR ANNUAL MAMMOGRAM TODAY!

COMMON TYPES OF BREAST CANCER

  • Ductal carcinoma. The most common kind of breast cancer. It begins in the cells that line the milk ducts in the breast, also called the lining of the breast ducts. The abnormal cancer cells are only in the lining of the milk ducts, and have not spread to other tissues in the breast.
  • Invasive ductal carcinoma. The abnormal cancer cells break through the ducts and spread into other parts of the breast tissue. Invasive cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body.
  • Lobular carcinoma. In this kind of breast cancer, the cancer cells begin in the lobes, or lobules, of the breast. Lobules are the glands that make milk. The cancer cells are found only in the breast lobules. Lobular carcinoma in situ, or LCIS, does not spread to other tissues.
  • Invasive lobular carcinoma. Cancer cells spread from the lobules to the breast tissues that are close by. These invasive cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body.

UNCOMMON TYPES OF BREAST CANCER

There are several other less common kinds of breast cancer, such as Paget’s disease and inflammatory breast cancer.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BREAST CANCER?

Different people have different warning signs for breast cancer. Some people do not have any signs or symptoms at all. A person may find out they have breast cancer after a routine mammogram.

Some warning signs of breast cancer are—

  • New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
  • Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
  • Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
  • Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
  • Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
  • Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
  • Pain in any area of the breast.

Keep in mind that some of these warning signs can happen with other conditions that are not cancer. If you have any signs that worry you, be sure to see your doctor right away.

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ADDITIONAL BREAST CANCER RESOURCES

1 IN 8 WOMEN IN THE US WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER IN HER LIFETIME

GET YOUR ANNUAL MAMMOGRAM TODAY!

CALL (617) 481-3020 TO SCHEDULE YOUR MAMMOGRAM TODAY!