Mammography Is a method to screen breast cancer and hear I am listing some useful things about mammography
1. Mammography is not advised for women below 40 years of age. This is because the breast tissue of younger women is more dense than older women and appears as a white, dense area in the mammogram. As breast cancer also appears white, it becomes difficult to detect breast cancer through this screening procedure. Moreover, breast cancer is quite common in women above 50 years, and hence, women between 50 – 75 years should undergo mammography.
2. If you are young and have a family history of breast cancer, then your doctor might recommend you to undergo a mammogram. If you experience any symptoms of breast cancer likes a lump in the breast, leaking of breast or changes in the breast size and shape, then it is time you should go for mammography, even you are 25 years old or younger. Also read about risk factors for breast cancer.
1. Mammography is not advised for women below 40 years of age. This is because the breast tissue of younger women is more dense than older women and appears as a white, dense area in the mammogram. As breast cancer also appears white, it becomes difficult to detect breast cancer through this screening procedure. Moreover, breast cancer is quite common in women above 50 years, and hence, women between 50 – 75 years should undergo mammography.
2. If you are young and have a family history of breast cancer, then your doctor might recommend you to undergo a mammogram. If you experience any symptoms of breast cancer likes a lump in the breast, leaking of breast or changes in the breast size and shape, then it is time you should go for mammography, even you are 25 years old or younger. Also read about risk factors for breast cancer.
3. Not many people know that there are two types of mammography – screening and diagnostic. A screening mammography is a routine X-ray of the breast in women without any visible sings of breast cancer. It is mostly recommended for women above 40 years of age. On the other hand, a diagnostic mammography is a breast X-ray where a woman shows symptoms of breast cancer or if the doctor suspects any abnormality in the breast.
#4. One should never go for a mammography without a doctor’s referral. Hence, it is wise to consult a doctor first if you experience any signs and symptoms of breast cancer or abnormality in the breast before getting tested on your won. As your doctor might examine first and then, ask for specific tests to be done to screen and then confirm the diagnosis.
#5. Mammography acts as an important screening tool for breast cancer in older women. During the procedure, an expert will position your breast in the mammography unit, which compresses or flattens the breast to spread the breast tissue for a clear picture. Most women might experience pain or discomfort as the breasts are compressed. If the pain is severe, do let the expert know about it so as to change the angle or minimise the pressure exerted on the breasts. The procedure usually takes around 30 minutes, and the patient can resume his routine work after the test. Here’s more about the mammography procedure and what the results mean.
#6. The best time to go for a mammography is around a week after your periods. This is because, during menstruation, the breast becomes tender due to hormonal changes in the body, which further worsens the pain experienced during the test. Hence, anytime after the first three to four days of your periods is the right time for mammography.
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