What is Mammography? When Should It Be Done?

Mammography is the most effective imaging method for the early detection of breast cancer, which ranks as the second leading cause of death in women. Dr. Nuri Ceydeli, a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Anadolu Health Center, states, "All women who detect issues in their breasts, as well as women aged 40 and above who have no issues, should undergo mammography."

Mammography Saves Lives

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, after lung cancer. Early diagnosis of breast cancer saves lives, and mammography is the method used to diagnose it. Despite the common fear women have about mammography, it poses no harm.

What is Mammography?

Mammography is the process of taking an X-ray image of the breast using a special machine and low-dose radiation.

How and When Should Mammography Be Done?

During the procedure, the breasts must be temporarily compressed between two plates of the machine. Therefore, it is best to choose a time when the breasts are least sensitive. The week following the end of menstruation is the ideal time, as the breasts are less sensitive and there is minimal swelling. It is more suitable to schedule the exam during this period.

What are the Benefits of Mammography?

While self-examination or doctor’s examination can only detect lumps that are 1.5-2 cm or larger, mammography can detect changes in the breast even when they are smaller than 0.5 cm. This means that diagnosis and treatment can start up to 2 years earlier. When a breast tumor is detected by a doctor or the patient themselves, it is usually 8-10 years old. Cosmetic products should not be used before the examination, as they can affect the quality of the images.

What Should You Consider Before Going for a Mammogram?

During the examination, the upper body should be exposed. Therefore, it is recommended to wear two-piece clothing. To avoid affecting the quality of the images, cosmetic products such as deodorants, talcum powder, or lotions should not be applied, as these may appear as calcium deposits on the mammogram. If available, previous mammograms (not just the reports, but also the films) should be brought along.

Is There Any Harm from Mammogram Radiation?

The main difference between mammography and standard X-rays is that mammography uses lower doses of radiation to provide higher quality images. As the technique has improved, the dose of radiation used for breast examinations has decreased. According to the world literature, no cases of cancer caused by mammography have been reported. The X-ray dose used is typically 30 KVP.

How Often Should Mammography Be Done?

Mammograms are divided into two types: diagnostic and screening. A diagnostic mammogram should be performed for every woman who has a problem in her breast, regardless of her age. A screening mammogram should be performed according to the recommendations of the American Cancer Society and the Radiology Society (which are also accepted in our country) in the following situations:

Every woman should have her first mammogram between the ages of 35 and 40.
Between the ages of 40 and 50, it should be done every two years.
After the age of 50, it should be done annually.
If there is a family history of breast cancer, the first mammogram should be done at age 30, and it should be done annually thereafter.
In high-risk women, mammography alone is not sufficient.

Does Mammography Hurt?

The most important aspect of mammography is the proper compression and flattening of the breasts. This prevents the breast tissue from overlapping, allowing for the maximum examination of the tissue, ensuring that no lumps are missed, and avoiding false appearances of lumps. At the same time, this compression reduces the amount of radiation exposure during the procedure. While the compression may cause some discomfort, the examination time is very short, so it does not cause significant issues. This discomfort is more commonly experienced in women with very small or very large breasts. At the age of 40, involution begins in the internal structure of the breast, which accelerates over time, and the glandular tissue is replaced by fatty tissue. This makes mammography easier to perform and increases diagnostic sensitivity to nearly 100%. In women undergoing estrogen therapy during menopause, these changes occur more slowly, so the diagnostic sensitivity of mammography may be slightly lower.

Who Should Have Mammography?

Mammography should be performed on any woman who has detected a problem in her breast, as well as on women aged 40 and over (at regular intervals depending on age) even if they have no symptoms.

Is Mammography Enough for High-Risk Women?

In high-risk women, mammography alone is not sufficient. In addition to mammography, the doctor may recommend breast ultrasound, angiography, thermography, transillumination, computed tomography, MRI, as well as blood tests for breast-related tumor markers, Tc 99 scintigraphy, and stereotactic biopsy.

What is Digital Mammography?

Digital mammography is a device that uses technologically advanced digital detectors instead of analog detectors. The most commonly observed well-defined lesions in mammography are cysts and fibroadenomas. Cysts typically appear after the age of 40 and may regress after menopause.

Last Updated Date: 22 April 2020

Publication Date: 14 October 2015