The History of Mammograms
Breast cancer is a leading cause of death for women, but early detection through mammograms saves countless lives every year. Until the 1960s, there was no specific test to detect breast cancer. While early mammograms often exposed women to more radiation than was necessary, technology has continued to develop to reduce the amount of radiation while improving the quality of the test itself.
What is a Mammogram?
A mammogram is a special form of X-ray that screens breast tissue for anomalies that may lead to breast cancer. The procedure is noninvasive, but may be mildly uncomfortable for some women. Each breast is compressed in a specially designed machine to provide a more thorough screening. Two images are taken--one from the top and one from the side. Mammograms can detect abnormalities that are too small to be felt in a self-exam. Doctors recommend women over the age of 40 to have an annual mammogram, but women with a strong family history should start earlier.
Origin
X-rays were first discovered in 1895. In 1913, German physician Albert Solomon began to use X-ray technology to study breast tissue that had been removed by mastectomy. In 1949, Raul Leborgne of Uruguay identified the need to compress the breast for a more accurate screening. In 1956, Houston-based radiologist Robert Egan developed a special film for mammograms. The first mammogram machine was introduced in 1966, and by 1976 the mammogram had become the standard test for breast cancer detection.
Improvements
In the 1960s and 1970s women became concerned about unnecessarily high doses of radiation. In fact, early mammogram machines did utilize much higher doses of radiation than what is used today. New technologies are continually reducing the amount of radiation required for a mammogram while simultaneously detecting smaller problems at an earlier stage. Digital mammography employs computer-aided reading of the mammogram images, resulting in a more detailed and accurate diagnosis.
FDA Requirements
In 1994, Congress asked the FDA to write standards for mammography and to provide a certification system for clinics that met the guidelines. Technicians who performed and read mammogram images now had to be specifically trained to do so, and they must read a minimum of 40 per month. Radiation exposure was limited to 0.3 rads per image. Today the number is often as low as 0.2 rads per image. The FDA also closely monitors the machinery used to perform mammograms to ensure its accuracy.
Myths
Over the years, urban legends and myths have surrounded the mammogram. Powders, lotions and deodorant can affect the accuracy of a mammogram, which has falsely led to the myth that these products can somehow cause cancer. Some women worry that exposure to radiation through mammography will actually cause them to develop breast cancer over time. While every woman should limit her exposure to radiation of any kind, modern mammography itself is not likely to cause cancer. According to emedicinehealth.com, a passenger on an intercontinental flight is exposed to more radiation than a woman having a mammogram. Mammograms remain the best way to detect breast cancer today.
Tags: breast cancer, radiation than, amount radiation, breast cancer, breast tissue
