Mammography is a screening method for diagnosing breast cancer . It allows you to identify cysts and tumors that are not detected by simple palpation. Mammography is usually performed in addition to other studies of the mammary glands - ultrasound, thermography.
Indications for mammography
Poor family history, chest pain during menstruation, increased density of mammary glands, nodular seals of an unknown nature. Even if the doctor at palpation has not found any suspicious seals, a mammogram can help in the detection of tumors and other formations.
How to prepare for a mammogram?
Preparation for mammography should be the following: first of all, the patient should be informed about the procedure, about its essence and results. Perhaps, she will have questions - everything must be answered by the doctor before the procedure begins.
On the day of the mammography, a woman should not use deodorants for the axillary zone. If she has implants in her chest, she should warn her doctor about it. In this case, the procedure will be carried out by a specialist familiar with the radiographic features of the implants.
The doctor before the procedure should warn that at the end of the procedure the woman should wait until he is satisfied with the good image quality. Also, he should warn about the high level of false positive results.
Immediately before the procedure, a woman needs to remove all ornaments, clothes to the waist and put on a robe that is unfastened from the front.
How is mammography done?
During the procedure, the woman is standing. Her mammary gland is placed on a special cassette on the X-ray table. A compression plate is placed on top of the chest. While taking a picture, a woman should hold her breath. After taking a picture in a direct projection, a picture is taken in the side projection. The mammary glands are removed one at a time.