Mammography is an examination of the mammary glands using a mammograph (X-ray machine). This procedure is the most common method of breast examination. Its information content is more than 90%. Mammography allows you to detect breast cancer at an early stage. Early diagnosis of the disease will help to completely get rid of or minimize the damage from the oncological process.
The quality of the examination depends on the equipment, the qualifications of the radiologist. The image clearly shows the structure of the mammary gland - connective and glandular tissues, vessels and ducts. When abnormal foci are found, their size, location, shape, and structure are recorded.
What are the indications for the procedure? Is X-rays harmful? How often should a mammogram be done? Similar questions are of interest to women who are worried about their he alth.
What is mammography
Mammography is a low-radiation X-ray examination. The procedure is a screening method for diagnosing the mammary glands. It is often prescribed to detect breast diseases.
Mammography - what is it? A photoprocedure is evidence that this is a non-invasive method of examination. That is, during its implementation, there is no invasion of the human body with the help of needles or other medical instruments.
Mammography can detect tumors, indurations or other changes in the area of the mammary glands in a woman.
Who needs a mammogram
Annual mammography allows you to detect cancer at an early stage. Therefore, doctors advise regularly undergoing this medical examination. This procedure is especially relevant for women over 40 years old. At this age, hormonal changes begin, which can lead to abnormalities in the tissues of the mammary glands. Be sure to go through the procedure if:
- there is discharge from the nipples;
- appeared seals, chest pain;
- deformation of the shape of the breast or nipples has occurred.
Mammography is a diagnostic procedure that is necessary to assess the patient's condition. After 35 years, its passage is mandatory for all women. It is enough to undergo the procedure once every 2 years to detect neoplasms. After age 50, mammograms are done annually.
If there is a genetic predisposition (there were cases of breast disease in the family), you should have a mammogram from the age of 30.
If malignant tumors are found, then the procedure must be done once a month. It will allow you to trace the dynamics of the development of formations.
What does the procedure reveal?
Through Mammographybenign and malignant neoplasms can be identified. The procedure allows you to analyze changes in the mammary gland, their size and prevalence.
- Cyst. This cavity with fluid is a frequent occurrence in the mammary glands. It is not a cancerous disease. But mammography, unfortunately, does not allow to distinguish a cyst from a malignant tumor - further examinations are needed.
- Fibroadenoma. Tumor-like formations that are prone to growth. More common in young women. Are not cancerous.
- Calcifications. Small numerous accumulations of calcium s alts in tissues can be the first sign of the initial stage of cancer. The large size of the formation is most often not associated with cancer. However, the presence of calcifications in the mammary gland may be due to the presence of an oncological process.
Even if there is a seal on only one side, an examination of both mammary glands is performed. This is done for comparative pictures and to detect changes in the other breast. If you have pictures of past procedures, you must 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:
- pregnant women;
- nursing mothers.
How to prepare for a mammogram
Before the procedure, anxious women often ask: “Does a mammogram hurt or not? What will I feel? Mammography - procedureabsolutely painless. It lasts about 10-30 minutes. Before the procedure, the doctor will tell the patients on which day the mammogram is done. However, for urgent diagnosis, the day of the cycle is not important.
Some women may experience discomfort during the examination if they experience chest pain. Therefore, on the recommendation of a doctor, they may be prescribed pain medication.
Jewellery should be removed during the procedure. The individual characteristics of the patients will be fundamental to the calculation of which day mammography is done. Usually this is 6-12 days from the start of the cycle.
If you have breast implants, tell your doctor. On the day of the procedure, you can not use deodorant, cream. The armpit and chest area must be clean so that no blackouts appear on the film.
How the procedure works
Patients before the procedure are interested in: “Is mammography an ultrasound? How is the examination going? Both methods do not require special training from women. X-ray examination is different from ultrasound.
Ultrasound allows you to track the condition of soft tissues. And visualization of dense ones 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 an outpatient procedure. The radiologist places the patient's breast on the platform and fixes it. Several pictures are taken (from top to bottom andlateral), during which the patient changes position.
For a clear image, a woman should freeze and hold her breath. The principle of the procedure is similar to fluorography. But, unlike her, the radiologist takes pictures of each breast separately. During the procedure, the breast is slightly compressed by the device. Why is this being done?
- To even out the thickness and unevenness of the chest.
- To get a clearer picture.
- To distribute soft tissue visualizing indurations and possible formations.
- To reduce radiation dose - the smaller the layer of tissue, the less dose it requires for a full image.
After receiving the images, the radiologist analyzes them and provides documentation to the attending physician. In some cases, a description of the mammogram is hand-held. Based on the results of the procedure, the attending physician may prescribe additional examinations to clarify the details of the diagnosis.
Types of mammograms
There are 2 types of x-ray mammography according to the research method:
- Film.
- Digital.
Film mammography (from the Greek mamma - "mother" and grapho - "to draw") has been used since the 60s of the last century. The image in this method is recorded on film.
In recent years, digital mammography has gained the most popularity. It allows you to conduct a more detailed study of the mammary glands of a woman, reduces the radiation load on the body.
By type of destination, there are 2type of mammography:
- Prophylactic (prescribed by the attending physician when the patient reaches a certain age).
- Diagnostic (appointed if a neoplasm is suspected).
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 examination does not reveal the presence of breast cancer.
Digital mammography is another matter. What is it, we have already discussed. And what is its advantage? In the digital method of examination, the X-ray film is replaced by detectors (similar to them are found in digital cameras). They convert X-rays into electrical impulses. Such signals can be printed, stored in a computer, made copies.
Digital mammography is the best option for:
- patients with dense breasts;
- women under 50;
- patients before menopause (or if menopause lasts less than 1 year).
As for women after menopause (or after 50 years), they can be examined in any way: both film and digital methods 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, due to their incompetence, claim that mammography is harmful. Allegedly, the radiation dose is high, so it is better to doultrasound. Doctors assure that if the norms of X-ray examination are observed, the damage to he alth will be minimal.
Firstly, there are regulations for X-ray procedures throughout the year.
Secondly, the dose for radioactive exposure is too low (less, by the way, than with fluorography).
Ultrasound and X-ray examination complement each other. Therefore, doctors often prescribe both diagnostic methods.
Pros of mammography
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 overcome cancer. There are many methods for treating early stage cancer.
Cons of mammography
It is possible to obtain incorrect data, so it is better to combine several methods of breast examination. In case of an incorrect positive result, additional mammography and ultrasound are prescribed. Rechecked results are most often normal. In the case of examination of women under 30 years of age, the procedure may not be effective (breast density makes it difficult to qualitatively study).
Additional breast examination methods
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 received enough clinical trials.
MRI is a more gentle method that does not use harmful radiation. But he is unable to display someanomalies.
Optical mammography is a method using projection and tomography devices. For the diagnostic type of research is not applicable. Optical fluorescent mammography involves the introduction of phosphors into the tissues. This helps to see the growth of the tumor.
Ultrasound is an ultrasound examination that allows you to get a clear picture from different angles. It is used during pregnancy and lactation, as it is less harmful than the X-ray method.
A biopsy is the taking of tissue samples for further examination. It is this method that allows you to verify 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 harm the he alth of the patient. The slight discomfort during the procedure makes it optimal for early detection of cancer.
Finally, let's list the unfavorable factors that contribute to the development of cancer at an early age:
- abortion;
- early period (before 11);
- hormonal changes (taking oral contraceptives, thyroid disease, being overweight or underweight);
- late menopause (after 55);
- first birth at a late age (after 30 years);
- gynecological diseases;
- genetic predisposition;
- regular stress conditions.
Early diagnosiswill allow to cure the cancer completely or to carry out surgery with minimal damage (for example, to remove only the tumor, do without chemotherapy). Regular examination will help maintain he alth for many years.
