Ultrasound is the most common and most painless procedure for examining the mammary glands. With the help of ultrasound it is possible to examine suspicious areas of the breast, consistently inspect all the lobes and after comparing these results with the data of feeling and mammography, make a diagnosis.
In the process of breast ultrasound, cysts and other manifestations of mastopathy, as well as benign tumors - fibroadenomas and lipomas, can be detected. Under the supervision of ultrasound, a puncture of the lesions causing suspicion is carried out. To this, doctors resorted in those cases when the feeling can not detect a tumor.
On the ultrasound of mammary glands, you can determine not only the structure of the breast, but also assess the condition of the lymph nodes in which signs of breast cancer show. This method allows you to detect the tiniest formations, which in diameter reach up to 5 mm. And when breast ultrasound is used, this is the only way to examine your breasts.
When asked to do breast ultrasound, the World Health Organization responds by recommending that it be performed once every 1-2 years for all women over the age of 35. After 50 years it is shown to carry out ultrasound of the mammary glands twice a year.
In addition to oncology, during ultrasound it is possible to diagnose various mastopathies , as well as benign tumors.When is it better to do breast ultrasound?
If to talk about when exactly, that is on what day of the cycle to do ultrasound of the mammary glands, then it is better to do it during the period of hormonal rest. This period is very variable and depends on the duration of the cycle and is individual for each woman. On average, this period occurs on 4-8 days from the day of the onset of menstruation (if it is a 28-day cycle). And the terms of ultrasound of the mammary glands are 5-14 days of the menstrual cycle.
Indications for breast ultrasound:
- selection of hormonal contraceptives ;
- presence of gynecological diseases;
- impaired ovarian functions;
- chest trauma;
- addition to mammography in premenopausal women;
- Diagnosis of cysts and tumors detected during palpation;
- assessment of the state of silicone prostheses.
Where to make ultrasound of the mammary glands?
Address in the specialized centers where competent experts of mammology and gynecologists work. This will save you from worrying if an inexperienced ultrasound specialist gives you an incorrect diagnosis.