Mammography is an x-ray examination of the breast that can detect breast cancer at an early stage. What are the indications for mammography and how is it done? How do I prepare for a mammogram? Is the result of the mammogram always plausible?
Mammographyis an X-ray examination, i.e.x-ray . It does not require anesthesia. A conventional apparatus can detect nodules from three millimeters in size.
Digital mammographs allow you to recognize millimeter changes. Instruments must be standardized according to the rules of the American Radiological Society and have a developing machine that is suitable for breast imaging only.
In breast cancer, the sensitivity of mammography is estimated at 80-95 percent.
Mammography: indications
- age over 35-40 years - however, since November 2015, the American Cancer Society argues that women with no additional risk of developing breast cancer should not start mammograms until the age of 45. All because mammography - according to scientists - is not a perfect diagnostic method and works poorly especially in the case of younger women
- breast pains
- suspected nipple change: lump, retracted nipple or skin, nipple discharge, limited pain, cyst, asymmetry
- start and ongoing hormone therapy
- belonging to the group of increased risk of breast cancer (e.g. family history of breast cancer, dysplasia of the breast)
The interval between mammograms should be 2 years. After the age of 50, you should have a mammogram once a year.
How is breast cancer detected? Check it out!
Mammography: preparation for the examination
Mammography examination does not require special preparation on the part of the patient, but:
- on the day the mammogram is scheduled, do not use talcum powder, lotion, deodorant or cream in the upper body area
- you should come for the examination with a referral from the doctor
- if mammography or similar tests have already been performed, bring the results (plates and copies).
Before the mammogram, tell the doctor:
- how old are you
- when you had your last period
- Did you give birth
- did you feed
- Are you taking any hormone medications
- Have you had breast surgeries because they leave scars obscuring the image
- Has anyone in your family suffered from breast, ovarian or prostate cancer
- Have you already done breast examinations; if so, you must have your results with you.
Mammography: screening program
The screening program is intended for women aged 50-69, insured women who have not performed mammography in the last 2 years. The research is free and requires no referral.
Women who do not qualify for the preventive program can also have a free breast examination (mammography or ultrasound) on the basis of a referral issued by a specialist doctor (gynecologist, oncologist).
How does mammography work?
You place your breasts on the plate, first one, then the other, and the radiologist's technician presses them down from above with the second plate. Then the position of the plates is changed. Now they embrace each breast from the sides. You need to hold out for a few seconds, as usual under x-rays. You will get four cliches with the doctor's description attached.
Get checked right after your period , because your breasts are not so tense, swollen and sensitive to pain, and you need to press them with your hand during palpation and self-examination, as with an ultrasound head and the mammogram plate. Especially mammography requires a fairly strong squeeze of the breasts. But if it hurts… it must be done elsewhere! There are mammography laboratories where you can apply pressure to yourself. You don't have to meekly agree to everything, then over time the places unfriendly to patients will be eliminated.
Abnormal mammography result
If the mammography result is incorrect, the patient is referred to the second stage of the examination: it may be supplementary mammography, ultrasound or fine needle biopsy.
Is the mammogram reliable?
In 2014, the British Medical Journal published the results of the research showing that mammography is of dubious value. 90,000 women aged 40-59 participated in the experiment and were tested over a period of 5 years. Some of them underwent palpation and mammography, and the rest performed only self-examination of the breasts.
It turned out that the number of women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during the study period was similar in both groups. On the other hand, the number of patients who died from cancer was almost identical. It turns out, therefore, that mammography does not contribute to the reduction of mortality in patients with breast cancer, and that is why it is performed - to detect disturbing changes in time andheal them.
Doubts about the effectiveness of mammography are also expressed by specialists from the Swiss Medical Board, who say that screening programs of this type should be assessed for quality and do not recommend such tests.