Mammogram Essay

Introduction

What is cancer?

Cancer is a disease caused by uncontrolled growth or division of cells in the body. Cancer can affect any part of the body. Some of the most common cancers are lung cancer, Skin cancers, Prostate cancers and Breast cancers in women. Cancer has a major impact on society in Canada and across the world According to the World health organization (W.H.O.) there are approximately 14 million new cases of cancer annually around the world.

Signs and Symptoms of cancer

Although in early stages cancer does not always produce clear signs or symptoms, some of the well-known signs can include: unexplained weight loss, fever, chronic fatigue, pain in parts of the body, white patches inside the mouth or on the tongue, unusual

. The information from each angle is fed into a computer, which then creates a black and white picture that shows a slice of a certain area of the body – much like looking at a single slice from a loaf of bread. Mammogram

What is a mammogram

A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast. Doctors use a mammogram to look for early signs of breast cancer. Regular mammograms are the best tests doctors have to find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt.

What a mammogram shows

A radiologist will look at your mammogram. Radiologists are doctors who diagnose diseases and injuries using imaging tests such as x-rays. When possible, the doctor reading your mammogram will compare it to your old mammograms. This can help show if any findings are new, or if they were already there on previous mammograms. Findings that haven’t changed from older mammograms aren’t likely to be cancer, which might mean you won't need further tests. The doctor reading your mammogram will be looking for different types of breast changes, such as small white spots called calcifications, lumps or tumors called masses, and other suspicious areas that could be signs of cancer.

How a mammography machine