Mammography: A Low-Dose X-Ray for Breast Screening
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women, and it can be fatal if not detected and treated early. Therefore, women need to have regular screening tests for breast cancer, such as mammography.
According to IntechOpen, while Africa has one of the lowest age-standardized breast cancer incidence rates (36.2 per 100,000 women per year) after Asia (29.1 per 100,000 women per year); it has the highest mortality rate of 17.3 per 100, 000 compared to other regions of the world.
What is Mammography?
Mammography is a low-dose x-ray exam that produces images of the breast tissue, called mammograms. Mammography can help find abnormal changes in the breast, such as lumps, masses, or calcifications, that may indicate the presence of cancer or other diseases.
Who is Mammography for?
Mammography is recommended for women aged 40 and older. The frequency of mammography depends on several factors, such as personal and family history of breast cancer, genetic mutations, and previous test results.
Generally, women aged 40 to 49 should have a mammogram every year or every two years, while women aged 50 to 74 should have a mammogram every two years. Women who have a higher risk of breast cancer may need to start mammography earlier or have it more often.
How to Prepare for a Mammogram?
To prepare for a mammogram, women should avoid wearing jewelry, deodorant, lotion, or powder on the day of the test, as these may interfere with the quality of the images. They should also wear a two-piece outfit that allows them to remove only the top part. They should inform their healthcare provider if they are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have breast implants.
Procedures of mammography
The mammogram is usually performed by a technologist who is specially trained in breast imaging. It's important to note that some women may experience discomfort during the mammogram due to the necessary breast compression to obtain clear images. The technologist will place one breast at a time on a flat plate of the X-ray machine and compress it with another plate.
This helps to spread out the breast tissue and reduce the amount of radiation needed. The technologist will then take two or more x-ray images of each breast from different angles. The whole procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
How Long Should I Wait for My Mammogram Result?
The results of the mammogram are usually available within a few weeks. A normal result means that no signs of cancer or other problems were found in the breast tissue. An abnormal result means that some areas of the breast tissue looked suspicious or unclear on the mammogram.
Depending on the type and extent of the abnormality, further tests or treatments may be required. These may include diagnostic mammography (a more detailed X-ray exam), ultrasound (a test that uses sound waves to create images of the breast), biopsy (a test that removes a small sample of breast tissue for analysis), or surgery (a procedure that removes part or all of the breast or other organs affected by cancer).
How Perfect Is a Mammogram?
Mammography is not a perfect test and may sometimes miss some cancers or give false-positive results. Therefore, it is important to have regular follow-up exams and check-ups as recommended by your healthcare provider. It is also important to remember that mammography does not prevent breast cancer but only helps to detect it early. Therefore, women should also practice healthy habits and be aware of any changes in their breasts, such as lumps, pain, discharge, or skin changes.
Mammography is a safe and effective screening tool that can help save lives by finding breast cancer early. By getting regular mammograms and following up on any abnormal results, women can protect their health and well-being.
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Sources
- Canadian Cancer Society. (2020). Mammography. Retrieved from https://cancer.ca/en/treatments/tests-and-procedures/mammography
- Mayo Clinic. (2019). Mammogram. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mammogram/about/pac-20384806
- Intertechopen. Epidemiology of breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa.https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/85501#:~:text=Globally%2C%20while%20Africa%20has%20one,other%20regions%20of%20the%20world.