I am exploring the profession of Mammography. After completing my Associate 's Degree through Northwestern State University and completing the Radiologic Technology program at Baton Rouge General Hospital, I plan to continue my education and become a mammography technologist. A mammography technologist examines breast tissue with medical imaging equipment. The technologist is looking for any abnormalities in the tissue. Radiologists and oncologists use these images to make a diagnosis on a patient. An important aspect of being a mammography technologist is patient care. Most patients are fearful of a mammography exam. Being able to give clear directions and make the patient feel comfortable is important. Technologists need to be able to explain the equipment and stress to the patient the need for compression Mammographers must also pay close attention to detail of the image as well as the paperwork that goes along with the exam. Some mammography technologists can also train and work to repair mammography equipment. To become a mammography technologist completion of an associate’s degree and obtaining a license as a radiologic technologist is required. Being a member of ARRT is also required. The ARRT requires you to have 75 completed mammography exams (screening and/or diagnostic). These exams must be verified by a mammography supervisor. In addition, the MSQA (Mammography Standard Quality Act) also requires the completion of a minimum of 25 exams. All exams must be performed on patients. No simulators or phantoms are allowed to be used for exams. Documentation of these completed exams is needed by the ARRT. You are also required to participate in QC (Quality Control) tests. Revision of at least 10 mammography exams with a MSQA certified physician is required. The technologist must also sit with a MSQA qualified interpreting physician to evaluate technique, positioning, anatomy, and pathology. You must either observe, assist, or participate in 10 interventional/special procedures. Those special procedures include: needle localization, breast MRI, ultrasound with biopsy or cyst aspiration, breast implant imaging, or clip placement. The ARRT also require the candidate to abide by the ARRT Rules and Regulations as well as the ARRT Standard of Ethics policy. Once you have met all the education and ethics requirements for the ARRT you are eligible to take the certification test. This test costs $200 and $175 to re-take test if needed. Candidates are allowed three attempts to pass the test. All
…show more content…
by nearly ⅓ since 1990.”
“One in six breast cancers occur in women aged 40-49”
“¾ of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease and are not considered high risk.”
“Even for women 50+, skipping a mammogram every other year would miss up to 30% of cancers.”
“For every 1,000 women who have a screening mammogram, 100 are recalled to get more mammography or ultrasound pictures, 20 are recommended to have a needle biopsy, and 5 are diagnosed with breast cancer.”
According to radiologyinfo.org, “breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in American women.” Approximately one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in a lifetime. Mammograms can detect cancer early. They can also show changes in the breast for up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. Treating breast cancer in its early stage is when it is most curable. For some patients, getting an MRI or ultrasound of the breast is needed in conjunction with a regular mammogram to help detect the presence of
by nearly ⅓ since 1990.”
“One in six breast cancers occur in women aged 40-49”
“¾ of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease and are not considered high risk.”
“Even for women 50+, skipping a mammogram every other year would miss up to 30% of cancers.”
“For every 1,000 women who have a screening mammogram, 100 are recalled to get more mammography or ultrasound pictures, 20 are recommended to have a needle biopsy, and 5 are diagnosed with breast cancer.”
According to radiologyinfo.org, “breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in American women.” Approximately one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in a lifetime. Mammograms can detect cancer early. They can also show changes in the breast for up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. Treating breast cancer in its early stage is when it is most curable. For some patients, getting an MRI or ultrasound of the breast is needed in conjunction with a regular mammogram to help detect the presence of