Medicare and Medicaid as well as most private health plans cover all or part of the cost of this test. Breast cancer screening is available to women withouth health insurance and women who don't have coverage for breast cancer screening. It may be offered free or at very little cost and many programs are out there to do just that including: Susan G. Komen with vouchers and PA Breast Cancer Coalition. There are many programs out there and we can help you find those answers.
A mammogram requires you to undress above the waist and then you will be given a wrap to cover yourself. A technician will position you breast for the test and your breast is then pressed between two flat surfaces to flatten and spread the tissue for better visualization. We do have two different types of mammograms, screening which is a routine test which is what is normally ordered and is used to look for disease in women that don't have a breast problem and diagnostic is used when there may be a lump, skin changes or nipple discharge. Diagnostic mammograms are routinely used for follow-up abnormal screening mammograms.
About 1 our of 10 mammograms will require more pictures to be taken. The numbers are better than you might expect and hopefully will muffle some of the fears about mammogram. Only 2 to 4 of every 1,000 mammograms leads to a diagnosis of cancer. I am all for the glass is half full rather than half empty.
DISCLAIMER
Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of any medical institution.
Make it a great day, the ducks are..... enjoy the rain! S