Mammography is an examination of the mammary glands using a mammograph (x-ray machine). Such a procedure is the most common breast examination method. Its information content is more than 90%. Mammography can detect breast cancer in the initial stage. Early diagnosis of the disease will help to completely get rid or minimize damage from the cancer process.
The quality of the examination depends on the equipment and qualifications of the radiologist. The picture clearly shows the structure of the mammary gland - connective and glandular tissues, vessels and ducts. When abnormal foci are found, their size, location, shape, structure are recorded.
What are the indications for the procedure? Is X-ray harmful? How often should a mammogram be done? Such questions are of interest to women who are worried about their health.
What is mammography?
Mammography is X-ray examination with a low proportion of radiation. The procedure is a screening method for the diagnosis of mammary glands. It is often prescribed to detect breast diseases.
Mammography - what is it? A photo of the procedure is evidence that this is a non-invasive examination method. 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 a woman's tumors, seals or other changes in the area of the mammary glands.
Who is shown mammography
Annual mammography allows you to identify cancer at an early stage. Therefore, doctors are advised to regularly undergo this medical examination. This procedure is especially relevant for women older than 40 years. 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 are discharge from the nipples;
- there were seals, chest pain;
- there is a deformation of the shape of the breast or nipple.
Mammography is a diagnostic procedure that is necessary to assess the condition of the patient. After 35 years, her passage is mandatory for all women. It is enough to undergo the procedure once every 2 years to detect neoplasms. After 50 years, mammograms are done annually.
If there is a genetic predisposition (there have been cases of breast disease in the family), a mammogram should be performed from the age of 30.
If malignant tumors are detected, then the procedure must be done 1 time per month. It will allow us to trace the dynamics of the development of entities.
What does the procedure reveal?
With the help of mammography, benign and malignant neoplasms can be detected. The procedure allows you to analyze changes in the mammary gland, their size and prevalence.
- Cyst. This cavity with fluid is a common occurrence in the mammary glands. It is not a cancer. 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. Not malignant.
- Calcifications. Small, numerous accumulations of calcium salts in tissues may be the first sign of the initial stage of cancer. Large sizes of education are 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 shots and for detecting changes in the other breast. If there are pictures of past procedures, you must show them to the radiologist.
Contraindications to the procedure
Mammography of the mammary glands is an x-ray with a small dose of radiation. Therefore, doctors do not recommend it:
- pregnant women;
- nursing mothers.
How to prepare for mammography
Before the procedure, excited women are often interested in: “Mammography - does it hurt or not? What will I feel? ” Mammography is a completely painless procedure. It lasts about 10-30 minutes. Before conducting the procedure, the doctor will tell the patients on which day they do a mammogram. However, for urgent diagnosis, the day of the cycle is not important.
Some women may experience discomfort during the study if they have chest pain. Therefore, on the recommendation of a doctor, they can be prescribed pain medications.
During the procedure, jewelry should be removed. Individual characteristics of patients will become fundamental for calculating what day do mammograms do. Usually it is 6-12 days from the start of the cycle.
If there are breast implants, you should warn your doctor about this. On the day of the procedure, do not use deodorant, cream. The armpit and chest should be clean so that no blackouts appear on the film.
How is the procedure
Patients before the procedure are interested in: “Is mammography an ultrasound? How is the examination? ” Both methods do not require special training from women. X-ray examination differs from ultrasound.
Ultrasound allows you to track the condition of the soft tissues. 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, capturing the image on a special film. Mammography is an outpatient procedure. A radiologist places the patient’s chest on the platform and fixes it. Several pictures are taken (top to bottom and side), during which the patient changes position.
For a clear picture, a woman should freeze and hold her breath. The principle of the procedure resembles fluorography. But, unlike her, the radiologist takes pictures of each breast separately. During the procedure, the chest is slightly squeezed by the apparatus. Why is this done?
- To even out the thickness and bumps of the chest.
- To get a sharper image.
- To distribute soft tissue, visualizing seals and possible formations.
- To reduce the dose of radiation - the smaller the layer of tissue, the lower the 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 mammography description is received on hand. According to the results of the procedure, the attending physician may prescribe additional examinations to clarify the details of the diagnosis.
Mammography Types
There are 2 types of x-ray mammography according to the research method:
- 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 film.
In recent years, digital mammography has gained the most popularity. It allows a more detailed study of the mammary glands of a woman, reduces radiation exposure to the body.
By type of appointment, there are 2 types of mammography:
- Preventive (prescribed by the attending physician after the patient reaches a certain age).
- Diagnostic (prescribed for suspected neoplasm).
Features of Digital Mammography
In digital and film mammography - for a better image - the chest is clamped between two plates. Studies have shown that in 20% of cases, a film examination does not detect the presence of breast cancer.
Another thing is digital mammography. What is it, 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 are found in digital cameras). It is they who convert x-rays into electrical impulses. Such signals can be printed out, saved in a computer, made copies.
Digital mammography - the best option for:
- patients with dense breasts;
- women under 50 years old;
- 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: the 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, argue that mammography is harmful. Allegedly, the radiation dose is high, so it is better to do an ultrasound. Doctors claim that, subject to the standards for conducting an X-ray examination, health damage will be minimal.
Firstly, there are standards for the passage of x-ray procedures during the year.
Secondly, the dose for radiation exposure is too small (less, by the way, than with fluorography).
Ultrasound and X-ray examination are complementary. Therefore, doctors often prescribe one and the other diagnostic method.
The benefits of mammography
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 overcome cancer. There are many methods for treating cancer in the initial stage.
Mammography Cons
It is possible to receive incorrect data, so it is better to combine several methods for examining the mammary gland. 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 be ineffective (breast density makes qualitative research difficult).
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 passed enough clinical trials.
MRI is a more gentle method in which no harmful radiation is used. But he is not able to display some anomalies.
Optical mammography is a method using projection and tomographic devices. For the diagnostic type of study is not applicable. Optical luminescent mammography involves the introduction of phosphors into 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 radiographic method.
A biopsy is a collection of tissue samples for further research. This method allows you to verify the presence or absence of breast cancer.
Why is it needed?
With the help of mammography, there is a diagnosis of changes in the mammary glands. Low doses of radiation will not harm the patient's health. Minor discomfort during the procedure makes it optimal for detecting cancer at the initial stage.
Finally, we list the adverse factors that contribute to the development of cancer at an early age:
- abortions
- early menstruation (up to 11 years old);
- hormonal changes (oral contraceptives, thyroid disease, overweight or underweight);
- late menopause (after 55 years);
- first birth at a late age (after 30 years);
- gynecological diseases;
- genetic predisposition;
- regular stressful conditions.
Early diagnosis will allow to cure the cancer completely or to have surgery with minimal damage (for example, remove only the tumor, do without chemotherapy). Regular examination will help to maintain health for many years.