Mammography is one of the ways to diagnose the condition of a woman's mammary glands, which is done to determine the presence of malignant formations or their prevention.
How to make a mammogram?
This procedure is carried out using a special X-ray equipment - a mammogram. It makes it possible to get the projections of the mammary gland, made at the right angle. When a mammogram is done, the female breast is placed between the special holders, which squeeze it a little. Certain models of the apparatus can immediately take biological material for histological analysis.
Where to make a mammogram?
Before the passage of this study, it is worth talking to your gynecologist or mammologist about where to take a picture. Not every state hospital can boast of a modern apparatus, which can not be said about private diagnostic centers. Yes, the cost of the service there is much higher than in a regular clinic, but the result is more informative and accurate.
At what age do mammograms?
There is no precise definition of the age category of women who need to undergo such a study. This is due to the fact that the risk of getting cancer is different for everyone, as well as habits or lifestyle. Breasts of young women of the weaker sex are too dense and elastic, which makes it difficult to conduct the procedure and does not provide complete information. Therefore, there is simply no definition of when to do mammogram of the mammary glands. The recommended age for the preventive passage of the study is considered to be 40 years, but if there is a suspicion regarding the appearance of cancers, then it can be carried out at any time.
How often can I have a mammogram?
For prevention, it is recommended that such a study be conducted at least once a year, after reaching a woman of 40 years of age. After 50 mammography should be done more often, about once every six months. If there is an urgent need for constant monitoring of the development of the disease, the frequency of mammography increases to 5 times a month. In this case, the body will not experience a strong radiation load.
When should mammography be done?
This research should be done if a woman is at risk or notes the following symptoms:
- swelling of the breast, its abnormal increase and soreness;
- change the shape of the nipple, the presence of secretions from it;
- seals in the tissues of the mammary glands;
- sagging or protrusion of the breast.
Terms of the mammography
The most favorable time, contributing to obtaining the most informative result, is the next week after the termination of the monthly. Due to the fact that before the menses the breast swells and becomes painful, it is not recommended to conduct a study at this time interval.
Mammograms during pregnancy
The use of a mammogram in the period of gestation is one of the safest ways to establish the presence of cancer disease or the stage of its course. This is due to
Mammography and breast cancer
This study is able to identify the disease at the earliest stages, when neither the woman nor her attending physician even suspect of his presence and destructive activity. Therefore, regardless of the age at which mammography is recommended by specialists, it is necessary to undergo regular examinations, especially if there were cases of cancer in the family or there are risks of development of malignant tumors.