Mammography: from when and how
Written by:In asymptomatic women, you need to start getting mammograms from 40-45 years, while the maximum age for realizárselas is still under debate (screening programs to lower women are limited to 80 years). The number of tests to be carried out will vary depending on the mammographic pattern obtained.
Although mass screening programs control women every two years, it is advisable to make annual checks. In some cases, moreover, more successive checks must be made: after three, six or nine months.
Mammography Discomfort
According to specialists in General Surgery , the optimum time for mammography is after starting the menstrual period (and not later than 15 days later), because in this period the breast is less painful as it is hormonal rest.
For mammography is correctly interpretable need to properly compress the chest during implementation. This tends to produce a more or less bearable discomfort in most women, but sometimes it is advisable to do some treatment prior to study to minimize the discomfort.
Risks of mammography
It is not proven that regular mammography cause any problems in the short or long term (apart from the discomfort of the moment). The technology currently used for performing mammograms radian about 20 times less than the initial models. In fact, the risk-benefit balance is positive mammogram, because if this test were to produce a cancer in the women studied, for each of them, would have been diagnosed at least 80 to 120 cancers early.
This conclusion follows from the follow - ups for periods of more than 20 years women screened annually with mammography.
Reliability of mammography
Out of 100 cancers is possible that up to 10 may be undetectable by mammography (mainly lobular carcinomas origin). Still, if the mammography is negative, the likelihood of inadvertent cancer is rare.
If diagnostic doubt there should be a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.
breast self - exam
It is advisable to explore the chest shortly after the start of menstruation, since it is the time when it is in sleep hormone. Optimally self-examination of breasts lying and standing, without forgetting explore the tail of the breast and armpit (without the arm fully extended).
