In order not to miss the initial stage of an oncological disease, when its treatment is the most promising from the point of view of full recovery, various methods of examinations are used. And the most informative is the x-ray examination of the mammary glands - mammography . The popularity of mammography is explained by the fact that it also reveals other diseases of the mammary glands - the presence of cysts, fibroadenomas, and the deposition of calcium salts.
When is it necessary to do a mammogram?
There are cases when it is necessary to do mammography regardless of age. It:
- chest pain;
- seals in the chest;
- discharge from the nipples;
- contraception and redness of the chest;
- change the contour of the nipples.
If these symptoms are absent, then the first snapshot of the mammary glands should be done in 35-40 years. You should always have this picture with you, in order to know how old the mammogram you started to do and to consider this shot as a control. All subsequent shots will reveal changes in the chest.
Concerning the timing of the examination, in this case everything is determined from the point of view of the least tenderness of the breast. Initially, it is necessary to undergo a checkup from a gynecologist who will prescribe the time when it is better to do a mammogram. This is usually 6-10 days after the end of menstruation, when you can do mammography, without fear of a particular painful procedure. Such terms are due to the hormonal background of the body. If a woman has a period of menopause , then the date of the examination does not matter.
Periodicity of passage of mammography
The examination of the mammary glands must be done at least once every 2 years after 40 years, and after 50 years - at least once a year. X-ray irradiation with this type of examination is insignificant, so do not ask how often you can do mammograms.
If the doctor has suspicions and the woman is sent for a secondary examination, then this must be done immediately, in order to avoid much more serious consequences. As with any examination procedure, X-ray mammography has contraindications - it should not be done by pregnant women and nursing mothers, in this case it is better to do an ultrasound mammogram.