Latest Mammography Types

Answer 1

With so many studies being published by researchers all the time, it's sometimes difficult to determine what kind of preventative measures are required for women aged 50 and over. However, the American Cancer Society still recommends that women get regular screenings for Breast cancer. If you are not sure whether you should be getting a routine mammography, check with your primary physician or OBGYN.

A mammography utilizes x-rays to examine breast tissue. The x-rays show glandular, fatty, and fibrous tissues within the breast, allowing doctors to detect signs of breast cancer in women. There are two basic types of mammograms: screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms. Screening mammograms are generally ordered for women who have no problems with their breasts, but should be monitored due to their age or other risk factors for breast cancer. Diagnostic mammograms are used to evaluate abnormalities in breast tissues.

Screening Mammograms

The goal of a screening is to detect breast cancer early. Many studies have shown that having regular mammograms can increase a person's chances of finding breast cancer in its earliest stages before it has a chance to spread. Experts have suggested that a mammogram can detect cancer as many as two or three years before it can be felt by breast self-examination. The American Cancer Society recommends yearly screenings for women starting at age 40. When women have mammograms, radiologists look for abnormalities and microcalcifications in the breast tissue, as these can be indicators of malignancy. The latest mammography technology includes digital and computer-aided outputs that magnify and enhance results, making it even easier to check for calcifications in the breast.

Diagnostic Mammograms

The purpose of a diagnostic mammogram is to further evaluate a known problem such as discharge, abnormal tenderness in the breast, and lumps. If an initial screening mammogram has shown any abnormalities, a diagnostic mammogram may be ordered. In most cases, radiologists view diagnostic films immediately. That way, if further images are needed, additional views can be taken and specific areas of concern can be pinpointed in the mammogram.

Sometimes other diagnostic tools are used. For example, an ultrasound is sometimes ordered to determine whether a lesion is solid or cystic. PET scans and MRIs are other tools that doctors can use to evaluate tumors, but mammography remains the top choice for early detection and screening. There are several risk factors associated with breast cancer, and the highest risk factor is a woman's age. However, a woman's family history may also increase her risk of developing breast cancer. Women with a hereditary predisposition to the disease are often encouraged to start getting regular mammograms at a younger age.