A woman’s health is the health of her unborn children, which means the next generation. Therefore, she needs to especially carefully and carefully monitor her condition. So, for example, an independent examination of the mammary glands is the main prevention of cancer of this organ, along with it are also used radiological (mammography) and ultrasound methods.
Relevance of the problem
Such an attentive approach to the state of this organ in women (to a lesser extent - in men) is caused by the sad fact that the statistics of breast cancer lesions are steadily growing, and the population of such patients is only getting younger. Therefore, the state regulations of many countries, including the post-Soviet space, include mandatory prevention of this disease, namely, an active search. Therefore, screening is carried out in all women older than 50 years with a frequency of once every 2 years. Mammography is the method of choice for this purpose, but ultrasound is also quite informative. Of course, each of these studies has its advantages and disadvantages, which allow them to be compared with each other, but the most important criterion is effectiveness, because the sole purpose of screening is to identify patients in the early stages of cancer or groups with risk factors for this disease.
X-ray method technology
To determine which method is better, mammography or ultrasound of the mammary gland, first you need to understand them separately. Firstly, it is worth saying that in technology these are two completely different studies. Mammography is an X-ray method, that is, it is based on the ability of tissues with different strengths to detain or transmit rays. It is carried out in the first phase of the menstrual cycle, that is, in the first week after the last menstruation or from the 5th to the 12th day, if you count from its first day. During this period, the hormonal background is only gaining momentum, and the mammary glands are not yet affected by it, that is, they remain unchanged. Before any examination, whether it is mammography or ultrasound of the breast, the doctor must examine and palpate this organ, trying to detect changes in it. Then they go directly to visualization on the equipment.
More About Mammography
A mammograph is designed so that it clamps the mammary gland between two plates, first in one and then in the second projection. This is necessary to minimize the thickness of the translucent tissues and increase the effectiveness of the image. This allows you to visualize all changes, including those that are not palpable. And if deviations from the normal structure of the mammary gland are revealed on the mammogram, then a repeated, aimed shot is taken, aimed directly at the altered focus. In addition, when choosing which is more effective, ultrasound or mammography, you can be guided by the important criterion that the mammograph is equipped with tools for biopsy, that is, taking a piece of breast tissue for examination. This allows you to clarify the nature of the pathological foci at the histological level, that is, for example, will allow you to most accurately distinguish between malignant and benign lesions.
Disadvantages of the method
However, an X-ray examination always carries a share of ionizing radiation, and no matter how minimal it is on modern equipment, it still exists. And therefore, if by this criterion we choose which is better, mammography or ultrasound of the mammary gland, then the second option clearly wins. Otherwise, this method, although rather unpleasant, is very effective, since it is highly sensitive and reveals a lot in the research process. Of course, scientists are striving to reduce this dose, and their achievement was the invention of a digital mammograph. Its advantage over ordinary is that it saves pictures in electronic form. They can be archived on a computer and thereby keep records of each patient automatically.
The benefits of digital technology
This also reduced the costs for the hospitals themselves. However, the significance of this fact is much greater. The fact is that there are two types of mammography: screening (preventive) and diagnostic. The first is carried out when the patient comes for screening, and each of her pictures is saved for comparison with subsequent ones. The second type is carried out for women with complaints or during examination and palpation of the mammary gland by a gynecologist and his identification of any pathological changes in this organ. Further, in order to understand which method is better, mammography or ultrasound of the breast, you need to understand the second.
About ultrasound
So, this examination is absolutely safe with respect to
ionizing radiation , which is used to visualize the internal structure of the mammary gland in real time. It is based on the ability of ultrasound to reflect from different tissues of our body with varying strengths. Therefore, it effectively identifies seals, voids, foci of calcification and tumor of the breast, which is so important in the prevention of its diseases. Its accuracy, as well as mammography, if necessary, is supported by biopsy data. But in the ultrasound itself there is a unique Doppler ultrasound mode that allows you to evaluate blood flow in the organs. It also helps to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors, as they have different types of blood supply.
Advantages and disadvantages
Patients who underwent
ultrasound of the mammary glands, reviews, of course, express extremely positive. Firstly, this is explained by the technique of its implementation: a special gel is applied to the organ under investigation, and then, by contacting the sensor with it, the resulting picture is reflected on a computer monitor. This is completely painless, which is especially important for many patients. In addition, the price of breast ultrasound is relatively less than the cost of mammography, especially film. But, of course, the method also has drawbacks. Yes, it is simple, cheap and quite sensitive, but it is not only this that measures the effectiveness of the technology. Firstly, he is dependent on a diagnostic doctor, which means he has a human error factor. After all, if an inexperienced doctor does not adequately view the structure of your mammary glands, he will miss the pathology. And secondly, he is still less sensitive than mammography, which means that with a good study, something can lose sight.
Other methods
Since both mammary ultrasound and mammography have their advantages and disadvantages, doctors are trying to constantly improve the level of technology and attract newer developments. So, if the doctor doubts his diagnosis, he can always refer the patient to MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which is the most sensitive and is increasingly being introduced into medical practice. However, it also carries a share of radiation exposure, and therefore is contraindicated in women during pregnancy and lactation. Therefore, they are usually prescribed ultrasound as a good alternative. In addition, as already mentioned, the data of radiation diagnostics in special cases must be supported by information from a
histological examination, that is, a biopsy.