What is a mammogram? Everything you need to know

As we approach 40, the fear of mammography is growing. It's a test that many of us have heard about, but is it as terrible as we've been told?

La mammogram (or mammography) of exploration is a specific type of breast imaging What does it use X-rays low-dose To detect breast cancer, before women have symptoms when it is most treatable¹.

The results of many decades of research show that women who take this exam regularly They have more likely to find breast cancer early and a lower chance of needing a mastectomy or chemotherapy.

Mammography It's not infallible, since it may miss some cancers. In addition, sometimes a woman will need more tests to find out if an abnormality is a cancer or not.

There is even a chance of being diagnosed with a cancer that would never have caused a problem if it had not been found during the screening test.

That's why it's important for women who have a mammogram Know What to expect And understand the benefits and limitations of this and other screening tests for breast cancer².

In this regard, the American Cancer Society advises that women with a Risk Average If you have breast cancer are performed an annual mammogram From the age of 45 of age, and Every two years starting at 54.

However, women with higher risk You may benefit from having breast cancer if you start to have them mammograms before age 40. This is the case of those who have a family history of this type of cancer.

Mammography in younger women can be difficult to interpret. Their breasts tend to contain more glands and ligaments than those of older women, causing the Woven Dense breast can hide anomalies.

Over the years, breast tissue acquires more fat and has fewer glands, making it easier to interpret and detect changes in mammograms³.

So if it's time for you to go to your first mammogram, you should know that the ideal is to do it one week after your menstrual period.

Preparing for a mammogram

La American Cancer Society it also recommends:

• Don't use deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under the arms or on the breasts on the day of the exam. This may appear on the mammogram as calcium spots.
• Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist performing the exam. Feel confident.
• If you've already had a mammogram, Make it available to the radiologist to compare with your current exam.
• Ask when your results will be available: Don't assume that the results are normal if your doctor or the facility in question does not contact you.

The breast will be placed on a special platform and compressed with a clear plastic pallet. The technologist is the one who will compress the breast gradually. It's a more uncomfortable than painful process.

Reasons why the breast is compressed on a mammogram

• It allows the thickness of the breast to be flattened so that all fabrics can be visualized. Thus, a mammogram reveals key information.
• It helps to extend the tissue so that it is less likely than abnormalities Small They are hidden.
• It allows the use of a lower dose of X-rays, so health experts take care of you during your mammogram.
• It allows you to keep the breast firm in order to minimize blurry images because of the movement.
• It helps reduce X-ray scattering for increase the sharpness of the image. So just relax while the experts perform your mammogram.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_LASa80I8I

The study consists properly of taking 2 x-rays of each breast as follows: Of the sides and from top to bottom⁴. It causes some discomfort but, without a doubt, they are tolerable, especially considering that this is a study that can save your life.

Mammography, is The most effective method for detecting breast cancer. However, it is important that a specialist carry you by the hand to monitor, in a personalized way, the health of your breasts.

And if the study makes you very nervous, here's a fact that might relax you: Of every 10 women with abnormal mammography, only one has cancer⁴. The culture of prevention is and will always be your ace up your sleeve.

References:

[1] Mammogram. (April 12, 2019). RadiologyInfo.org. https://www.radiologyinfo.org/sp/info.cfm?pg=mammo

[2] Recommendations from the American Cancer Society for the early detection of breast cancer. (March 5, 2020). https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/cancer-de-seno/pruebas-de-deteccion-y-deteccion-temprana-del-cancer-de-seno/guias-de-la-sociedad-americana-contra-el-cancer-para-la-deteccion-temprana-del-cancer-de-seno.html

[3] Mammogram. (July 31, 2019). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/tests-procedures/mammogram/about/pac-20384806

[4] Mammography. (s.f.). IMSS. http://www.imss.gob.mx/salud-en-linea/cancer-mama/mastografia