Mammography - Causes, symptoms and treatment. MF.
Mammography is a highly effective and safe method of investigation, which allows detecting a tumor formation of negligible dimensions that does not manifest itself clinically, that is, a woman does not make any complaints, the formation of such dimensions can not be detected by palpation( feeling), neither by the woman herself nor by the doctor.
Early diagnosis plays an important role in conducting timely treatment, as a result, there is a high probability of complete recovery, in most cases with the preservation of mammary glands.
Given the low radiation doses and the frequency of the study, the patient is not at any risk. The only contraindication is pregnancy and lactation( breast-feeding).
Mammography is performed by a qualified specialist on a special X-ray machine( mammography).
Obtained mammograms are described by a doctor-radiologist. Typically, the study is to obtain two x-ray images of the breast from two different angles of view.
The picture should show the maximum possible volume of the gland. However, sometimes due to some individual features of the structure or size of the breast, there is a need for additional projections. Additional pictures can give more complete information for a proper evaluation of the individual characteristics of the gland tissue.
During mammography, the mammary gland is compressed between two plastic spoons of a mammogram. Good compression, due to the spreading of the gland, significantly increases the possibility of detecting early, minor and sometimes invisible signs of cancer.
Breast compression also reduces radiation exposure in the study.
Such compression can be unpleasant, however this phenomenon is temporary, and the result is very important.
Mammography is painless. But this procedure is preferably performed at the beginning of the menstrual cycle on days 5 to 14 from its onset.
Other days, and especially premenstrual, there are regular changes in the mammary gland( increase in volume, tissue density), which distort the mammogram picture, making it difficult to diagnose the diagnosis correctly.
If you find any changes in mammograms, do not despair!
These changes are not necessarily malignant. But remember! Early diagnosis will ensure effective treatment!
Mammograms are an important document that must be stored, and with the next visit to the doctor bring the previous pictures!