Mammography
Mammograms are the gold standard as far as diagnostic tests for breast cancers are concerned. But they are not 100% foolproof.
Mammography is an imaging study that employs low-dose X-rays for breast examination.
A mammography exam (mammogram) helps to detect breast cancer, and other breast diseases, in women at an early stage. Research has confirmed that annual mammograms help to detect cancer, when they are most curable.
Two recent advances in the technique include -
- Digital mammography
- Computer-aided mammography.
In many countries, regular mammograms are recommended as a part of routine screening for women over 40 years. Generally it is not of much use to those below 35 years because the breast tissue is very dense and the resulting mammogram may not be very clear.
Before a mammogram the patient is advised to refrain from wearing talcum powder or lotion under the arms or in the areas near the breasts as they may appear on the mammogram as calcium spots.
Certain mammographic features of the lump can suggest malignancy -
- Increased density
- Irregular margins
- Spiculation
- Accompanying clusters of irregular micro calcifications
Although they remain the gold standard as far as diagnostic tests for breast cancers are concerned, mammograms are not 100% foolproof and hence further tests, such as FNAC ( Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology) or trucut or open biopsy maybe recommended.
