Mammography, the Best Diagnostic Technology for Breast Cancer

The rate of breast cancer is increasing day by day so that the number of ways to diagnose and treat the same. Although, most of the time typical abnormal growth in breasts is detected to be non malignant still it is really a challenging deal to recognize the malignant growth in tissues. Mammography is a successful diagnostic process for breast cancer which utilizes low energy X rays. The objective of employing this technique on work is to detect out characteristic masses and micro calcification in tissues. Using 30kVp X rays, this technology is working as the best screening tools for detecting breast cancer in women.

How the process goes on?

The image of tissues taken on x ray sheet through mammography is called as mammogram. These mammograms uses do of ionizing radiation for development of images. These images are later observed by radiologists for exact interpretation. One thing to be taken under consideration here is that the X rays used for this purpose are of lower energy than those are used for radiography of bones. Some more techniques to follow mammography are ultrasound, positron emission mammography, digital mammography, dictograph and magnetic resonance imaging. These techniques are used as adjuncts of mammography for accurate observation. When mammography seems not to be useful for the imaging of palpable masses, ultrasound is applied to evaluate masses. On other hand, dictograph is used for evaluation of bloody discharges from nipples. This technique is applied when mammogram seems unable to give any useful analysis. Screening of pre surgical patients bearing breast cancer for additional lesions is done through MRI. At this stage, finding of any malignant or non malignant lesion can change entire surgical approach. The latest diagnostic procedure in this series is tom synthesis which will be beneficial during upcoming years.

What are affiliated risks?

The first thing to come in the list of risks affiliated with mammography includes radiation induced breast cancer. Women below the age of 35 tends to catch breast cancer through radiation exposure than those who have crossed the age of 35 years. That’s why; radiologists just avoid suggesting mammography in women below the age of 40. Instead, they may suggest comparatively safer techniques like MRI and ultrasound for diagnosis of breast cancer. On other hand, mammography becomes important for those possessing positive history for the same, palpable masses and cases of BRCA; regardless to the age of the woman in such conditions, the radiologist can recommend for mammography.

Other affiliated risks of the technique are missed cancer cases i.e. false negative. Due to dense tissues and hidden cancer lesions in central part of breast that cannot be detected under mammography, the report can show false negative result. In order to avoid such cases, digital mammography and computer aided diagnosis process is employed for detection. Sometimes, the occurrence of lobular cancer is also missed in mammograms because this type of cancer created shadow like appearance on mammograms that looks like normal tissue in image. That’s how, the number of false negative cases in mammography takes place. On other hand, appearance of cancer on mammograms can be overlapped with images of normal tissues; this can create confusion during analysis of the mammogram.

Still the bottom line about the techniques is that it works well to decrease the mortality rate of women due to breast cancer. Diagnosis of breast cancer in early stage can save the life as beginning of treatment in early stage of the cancer is really effective.

Author Bio:

The writer is an expert in the field of Diagnostic Services with focus on Full Body Scan & 3d Mammography

The writer is an expert in the field of Teachings and Ayurveda training Courses especially Meditation Ottawa