Mammography is a breast examination with the help of a mammogram( X-ray machine).This procedure is the most common method of examining the breast. Its informativeness is more than 90%.Mammography can detect breast cancer at the initial stage. Early diagnosis of the disease will help to completely get rid of or minimize the damage from the oncology process.
The quality of the examination depends on the equipment, the qualification of the radiologist. The picture clearly traces the structure of the mammary gland - connective and glandular tissues, vessels and ducts. When finding an abnormal foci, their size, location, shape, and structure are fixed.
What are the indications for the procedure? Is X-ray radiation harmful? How often should I have a mammogram? Similar questions are of interest to women who are worried about their health.
What is a mammogram
Mammography is an x-ray study with a low proportion of radiation. The procedure is a screening method for diagnosing the mammary glands. She is often prescribed to identify breast diseases.
Mammography - what is it? The photo procedure is an indication that this is a non-invasive method of examination. That is, during its carrying out there is no intrusion into the human body with the help of needles or other medical instruments.
Mammography can detect a woman's tumors, densities, or other changes in the area of the mammary glands.
To whom the mammogram
is shown The annual mammography allows to identify the oncological disease at an early stage. Therefore, doctors advise to undergo this medical examination on a regular basis. This procedure is especially important for women over 40 years of age. At this age, hormonal changes begin that can lead to abnormalities in the tissues of the mammary glands. Be sure to go through the procedure if:
- has a discharge from the nipples;
- appeared seals, chest pains;
- there was a deformation of the shape of the breast or nipples.
Mammography is a diagnostic procedure that is necessary to assess a patient's condition. After 35 years, its passage is mandatory for all women. It is enough to undergo the procedure once in 2 years to detect neoplasms. After 50 years, mammography is done annually.
If there is a genetic predisposition( in the family there were cases of breast disease), you should undergo a mammogram from the age of 30.
If malignant tumors are found, the procedure should be done once a month. It will allow us to trace the dynamics of the development of formations.
What does the procedure reveal?
Mammography can detect benign and malignant neoplasms. The procedure allows you to analyze the changes in the mammary gland, their size and prevalence.
- Cyst. This cavity with fluid is a frequent phenomenon in the mammary glands. It is not a cancerous disease. But mammography, unfortunately, does not allow us to distinguish the cyst from a malignant tumor - we need further examinations.
- Fibroadenoma. Tumor formation that is susceptible to growth. More common in young women. Are not malignant.
- Calcite. Small numerous accumulations of calcium salts in tissues can become the first sign of the initial stage of cancer. Large sizes of education are most often associated with cancer. Nevertheless, the presence of calcification in the mammary gland can be due to the presence of an oncological process.
Even if there is compaction only on one side, both mammary glands are examined. This is done for comparative shots and for detecting changes in the other breast. If there are pictures of past procedures, you need to show them to the radiologist.
Contraindications to the procedure
Breast mammography is an x-ray with a small dose of radiation. Therefore, doctors do not recommend it:
- to pregnant women;
- nursing mothers.
How to prepare for a mammogram
Before the procedure, anxious women are often interested in: "Mammography - is it painful or not? What will I feel? ".Mammography - the procedure is absolutely painless. It lasts about 10-30 minutes. Patients before the procedure, the doctor will tell you what day mammography is done. However, for urgent diagnosis, the day of the cycle is not important.
Some women may experience discomfort during the study if they have chest pains. Therefore, on the recommendation of a doctor, they can be prescribed painkillers.
During the procedure, you should remove jewelry. Individual characteristics of patients will be fundamental for calculating the day on which mammography is done. Usually this is 6-12 days from the start of the cycle.
In the presence of breast implants, a doctor should be informed about this. On the day of the procedure you can not use deodorant, cream. The axillary cavity and chest area should be clean so that no blackout appears on the film.
How is the
procedure Patients before the procedure are interested in: "Mammography is ultrasound? How is the examination? ".Both methods do not require special training from women. X-ray examination differs from ultrasound.
ultrasound can track the condition of soft tissue. A visualization of dense is better diagnosed on mammography. Therefore, if the patient's condition causes concern, then both examinations are prescribed.
X-rays pass through the human body, fixing the image on a special film. Mammography is a procedure that is performed on an outpatient basis. The radiologist physician places the patient's breast on the platform and fixes it. Several pictures are taken( from top to bottom and lateral), during which the patient changes position.
For a clear image of a woman should be frozen and hold her breath. The principle of the procedure resembles a fluorography. But, unlike her, the radiologist makes pictures of each breast separately. During the procedure, the chest is slightly squeezed by the apparatus. What is this for?
- To even out the thickness and irregularities of the chest.
- To get a sharper image.
- To distribute soft tissues, visualizing seals and possible formations.
- To reduce the radiation dose - the smaller the tissue layer, the lower dose it requires for a full-fledged image.
After receiving the shots, the radiologist analyzes them and provides documentation to the treating physician. In some cases, the description of mammography is obtained on the hands. Based on the results of the procedure, the attending physician may prescribe additional examinations to clarify the details of the diagnosis.
Types of mammography
There are 2 types of x-ray mammography according to the method of investigation:
- Film.
- Digital.
Film mammography( from the Greek mamma - "mother" and grapho - "draw") has been used since the 60s of the last century. The image in this method is recorded on tape.
In recent years, digital mammography has become very popular. It allows more detailed study of the mammary glands of a woman, reduces the radiation load on the body.
By type of appointment, there are 2 types of mammography:
- Prophylactic( appointed by the attending physician when the patient reaches a certain age).
- Diagnostic( appointed when suspected of a neoplasm).
Features of digital mammography
In digital and film mammography - for a better image - the breast is clamped between two plates. Studies have shown that in 20% of cases, a film screening does not reveal the presence of breast cancer.
Another thing - digital mammography. What is this, we have already discussed. And what is its advantage? In the digital survey method, the X-ray film is replaced by detectors( similar to them in digital cameras).It is they who convert X-rays into electrical pulses. Such signals can be printed, saved on a computer, made copies.
Digital mammography is the best option for:
- patients with dense breasts;
- for women up to 50 years;
- patients before menopause( or if the menopause lasts less than 1 year).
As for women after menopause( or after 50 years), they can be examined in any way: both the film and digital method will be equally effective. This is due to the fact that breast density decreases with age, which allows you to get high-quality images in both cases.
Is the procedure harmful?
Some patients, because of their incompetence, claim that mammography is harmful. Ostensibly the dose of irradiation is great, therefore it is better to do ultrasound. Doctors say that if the standards of an X-ray examination are observed, the health damage will be minimal.
First, there are standards for the passage of X-ray procedures during the year.
Secondly, the dose for radioactive irradiation is too small( less, by the way, than with fluorography).
ultrasound and X-ray examination complement each other. Therefore, doctors often prescribe both methods of diagnosis.
Pros of mammogram
The examination reveals abnormal formations in the mammary gland. Mammography allows you to diagnose cancer at an early stage. And this, in turn, will help to combat cancer. There are many methods for treating cancer in the initial stage.
Mammogram Disadvantages of
It is possible to obtain incorrect data, so it is better to combine several methods of examining the breast. In case of an incorrect positive result, additional mammography and ultrasound are prescribed. The rechecked results are usually normal. In the case of examining women under 30, the procedure may prove ineffective( breast density makes it difficult to qualitatively study).
Additional methods for examining the mammary glands
Mammography with tomosynthesis is a three-dimensional image of the breast in the form of thin( 1 mm) sections. This is a new method that has not gone through enough clinical trials.
MRI is a more gentle method that does not use harmful radiation. But he is not able to display some anomalies.
Optical mammography is a method using projection and tomographic devices. For the diagnostic type, the study is not applied. Optical luminescent mammography involves the introduction of phosphor into the tissue. This helps to see the growth of the tumor.
Ultrasound is an ultrasound examination that allows you to get a clear picture in different angles. It is used during pregnancy and lactation, as it is less harmful than the radiographic method.
Biopsy is the sampling of tissue samples for further investigation. It is this method that makes it possible to ascertain the presence or absence of breast cancer.
Why is it needed?
Mammography is used to diagnose changes in the mammary glands. Low doses of radiation will not cause harm to the health of the patient. Minor discomfort during the procedure makes it optimal for detecting cancer at the initial stage.
Finally, we list the unfavorable factors that contribute to the development of cancer at an early age:
- abortion;
- early menstruation( up to 11 years);
- hormonal changes( taking oral contraceptives, thyroid disease, overweight or underweight);
- late menopause( after age 55);
- first childbirth at a late age( after 30 years);
- gynecological diseases;
- genetic predisposition;
- regular stress conditions.
Early diagnosis will cure cancer completely or perform surgery with minimal damage( for example, remove only the tumor, do without chemotherapy).Regular examination will help to maintain health for many years.