A mammogram is what for inspection? How is mammography performed?

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 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 recorded.

What are the indications for the procedure? Is x-ray radiation harmful ? How often should I have a mammogram? Such questions are of interest to women who are worried about their health.

What is mammography?

Mammography is X-ray examination with a low fraction 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.

Who is shown mammography

The annual mammography allows to reveal the oncological disease at an early stage. Therefore, doctors advise to take this medical examination regularly. 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:

• There are secretions from the nipples;
• There were seizures, pain in the chest;
• There was deformation of the shape of the breast or nipples.

Mammography is a diagnostic procedure that is necessary for assessing the patient's condition. After 35 years, her 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 (there were cases of breast disease in the family), you should undergo a mammogram from the age of 30.

If malignant tumors are found, then the procedure should be done once a month. It will allow to trace the dynamics of the development of formations.

What does the procedure reveal?

Using mammography, it is possible to identify benign and malignant neoplasms. The procedure allows you to analyze the changes in the mammary gland, their size and prevalence.

- The cyst. This cavity with fluid is a frequent phenomenon in the mammary glands. It is not a cancer. But mammography, unfortunately, does not allow to distinguish between cysts and malignant tumors - further examinations are needed.

- Fibroadenoma. Tumor formation that is susceptible to growth. More common in young women. Are not malignant.

- Calcinates. 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 not associated with cancer. Nevertheless, the presence of calcinates 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:

• Pregnant women;
• Nursing mothers.

How to Prepare for Mammography

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 cycle day 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 that, On what day do mammograms. Usually this is 6-12 days from the start of the cycle.

If breast implants are available, the doctor should be informed. 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 performed

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 tissues. A visualization of dense is better diagnosed on mammography. Therefore, if the patient's condition causes fear, then appoint both examinations.

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, the woman should be frozen and hold her breath. The principle of the procedure resembles a fluorography. But, unlike her, the radiologist takes pictures of each breast separately. During the procedure, the chest is slightly compressed with the device. What is this for?

• To even the thickness and irregularities of the chest.
• To get a sharper image.
• To distribute soft tissues, visualizing seals and possible formations.
• To reduce the dose of radiation - the smaller the layer of tissue, the lower dose it requires for a full-fledged image.

After receiving the shots, the radiologist analyzes them and provides documentation to the treating doctor. 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:

1. Film.
2. 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:

1. Prophylactic (appointed by the attending physician when the patient reaches a certain age).
2. Diagnostic (it is 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 screening does not reveal 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 in digital cameras). They transform the X-rays into electrical pulses. Such signals can be printed, saved on a computer, made copies.

Digital mammography - the best option for:

• Patients with dense breasts;
• Women under 50;
• Patients before the onset of menopause (or in the event that 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 receiving high-quality images in both cases.

Is the procedure harmful?

Some patients, because of their incompetence, argue 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 the 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 mammography

The examination reveals abnormal formations in the mammary gland. Mammography can diagnose cancer at an early stage. And this, in turn, will help to overcome the oncological disease. There are many methods for treating cancer in the initial stage.

Mammogram Disadvantages

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 qualitative research difficult).

Additional methods of examining the mammary glands

Mammography with tomosynthesis is a three-dimensional image of the breast in the form of thin (1 mm) slices. This is a new method that has not gone through enough clinical trials.

MRI is a more gentle method, which 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 implies the introduction of phosphors 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.

A biopsy is a collection 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?

With the help of mammography, there is a diagnosis of 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:

• Abortions;
• Early menstruation (up to 11 years);
• Hormonal changes (taking oral contraceptives, thyroid disease, overweight or underweight);
• Late menopause (after 55 years);
• First childbirth at a late age (after 30 years);
• Gynecological diseases;
• Genetic predisposition;
• Regular stressful 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.