Do you know that mammography is one of the most common and effective ways to screen for breast cancer? It's a simple procedure that involves taking an x-ray of your breast tissue, and it can help detect any potential issues early on. So if you're due for a check-up, don't forget to ask your doctor about getting a mammogram!

Who should get the mammography test?

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world, and it is found in women aged 40 and over, with a higher incidence in women over 70. Medical professionals recommend that women aged 40-54 have a mammography once a year, and for women aged 55 and over, once every two years.

Additionally, if someone experiences any of the following symptoms, they should consider getting a mammography: 

• Any change in the size or shape of the breast
• A lump
• Thickening or swelling
• Pain
• Itching
• Redness or scarring
• Feeling heaviness in the breast
• Any discharge from the breast

Why should you get a mammography?

Although mammography cannot diagnose cancer, it can detect signs of it earlier, before symptoms develop. Suppose any abnormalities are found in your breast. In that case, doctors will recommend further medical tests and a sample of breast tissue will be sent for biopsy to confirm whether the cells are cancerous or noncancerous. Doctors recommend getting a mammography to detect any signs or abnormalities in the breast earlier, leading to earlier treatment and potentially improving survival.

How is it done?

Mammography can be carried out in two ways: screening mammography and diagnostic mammography. Screening mammography takes 15-20 minutes, while diagnostic mammography takes a bit longer. The process involves standing in front of a special x-ray machine with a low dose of radiation. Your breasts (you will need to remove the clothes covering your upper body) will be pressed between two plates to take some images. Pressure will be applied to flatten your breast between these two plates, which may feel uncomfortable. Experts may repeat the process to take several images from different angles.  Black and white X-ray images will be taken through the process.

Things to keep in mind before getting a mammography

• Do not use deodorant, powder, lotion, or perfume before the test, as these can create spots on the x-ray image.
• Avoid getting mammography before or during your period week, as your breasts may swell during this time, leading to more pain during the test.
• If you have breast implants, inform the medical professionals before getting mammography, as this may hide some breast tissues during imaging.

References:

• https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/mammograms.htm#:~:text=Regular%20mammograms%20are%20the%20best,before%20it%20can%20be%20felt.
• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/mammogram-procedure
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4877-mammogram
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mammogram/about/pac-20384806
• https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/mammo
• https://www.verywellhealth.com/mammogram-what-to-expect-430283

 Image Source:

• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/