Momman ography or mammogram is a scan test for look pictureanglandbreast and surrounding tissue.Mammography examination using technology Photo X-ray.
Mammography aims to examine and detect various forms of abnormalities in the breast, such as breast cancer, benign breast tumors, breast cysts, or calcium buildup (calcification) in breast tissue.
Types of Mammography
Based on its purpose, mammography is divided into two types, namely:
Screening mammography (sscreening mammography)
Screening mammography is done to detect abnormalities in the breast, even though there are no complaints, signs, or abnormalities that can be seen or felt. The purpose of screening mammography is to detect breast cancer early, especially in at-risk groups.
Diagnostic mammography (ddiagnostic mammography)
Diagnostic mammography is performed to find out the cause of breast complaints or changes, such as pain, lumps, changes in skin color around the breasts, nipple thickening, or nipple discharge.
Diagnostic mammography can also be used to evaluate abnormal screening mammography results.
Mammography Indications
Mammography is recommended to be done every 1 or 2 years, starting at the age of 40 years. Mammography can also be done before the age of 40 years for women who are considered at risk for breast cancer, for example, have a family history of breast cancer.
Mammography is also performed on women who have problems with the breasts, such as:
- Breast lump
- Changes in the skin of the breast to become thick and mottled like orange peel
- Breast pain
- Discharge from the nipple
- Changes in nipples
WarningMommography
If you are planning to have a mammography, there are several things you should do before the examination, namely:
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, because the radiation emitted by a mammogram can interfere with fetal growth.
- Tell your doctor if you have breast implants, as the material in the implants can obscure the mammographic image.
- Tell your doctor if you have had a breast biopsy before.
- Avoid having a mammography test during menstruation, as the breasts will feel firmer and sore during the procedure. Schedule a mammography 1–2 weeks after your period is over.
- Tell the doctor about current health conditions and medicines, supplements, including herbal products that are currently being used, because certain health conditions or the use of certain drugs are feared to hinder the examination.
BeforeMommography
Patients who will undergo mammography should avoid consuming beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate, for at least 5-7 days before the examination.
If you have had a mammography before, the patient is advised to bring the results of the test so that they can be used for comparison.
In addition, there are several things that the patient must also know on the day of the examination, namely:
- Do not use deodorants, lotions, creams, powders, or perfumes around the breasts and underarms, as these may affect the results of the examination.
- Remove any metal jewelry or accessories, especially those worn around the neck and chest.
- Take a pain reliever, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, 1 hour before the exam, if you are concerned about pain during the exam.
- Wear two-piece clothes (shirt and pants) for easy inspection.
Procedure Mommography
The entire mammography examination generally takes about 30 minutes. Mammography can be performed in a sitting or standing position, depending on the type of equipment used in the hospital or clinic where the patient is being examined.
The following are the steps in the mammography procedure:
- The doctor will first ask the patient to remove the top and bra. The patient will wear the clothes provided by the hospital.
- The patient will stand or sit in front of the X-ray mammography machine, then the doctor will position the breast between two plates, which will compress the breast and flatten the tissue inside.
- The doctor will take pictures of the breast from several angles. At each shooting, the patient will be asked to hold his breath.
- The shooting process will take a few seconds. If in the middle of the examination the patient complains of pain or an uncomfortable sensation, the pressure on the breast can be adjusted.
After the mammography is complete, the doctor will first check the quality of the images. If the images are not clear, the doctor may repeat the mammography or suggest the patient do a breast ultrasound.
After Mommography
Patients will get mammography results in the form of X-rays. The results of mammography can show if there are abnormalities in breast tissue, such as:
- Calcium buildup, which can be caused by inflammation, biopsy scars, or benign tumors
- Lumps that can be hard or filled with fluid (cysts)
- Benign or malignant (cancerous) tumors
- Breast tissue that is denser than normal
Although considered very effective for detecting breast cancer early, in some cases, mammography can not directly determine the diagnosis of cancer at the first examination.
Depending on the results of the first mammography, the doctor may advise the patient to undergo further procedures, including repeat mammography, ultrasound or MRI scan, and tissue sampling (biopsy).
risk and Mom's Complicationsmography
Radiation exposure is a risk factor for cancer cell growth. However, the radiation produced on mammography is very low. In other words, the benefits of mammography outweigh the risks of radiation.
Although mammography is a safe procedure, there are some possible risks, including:
False positive result
False positive results are mammography results that show abnormalities, when in fact there are no cancer cells in the patient's breast. Therefore, patients whose examination results are abnormal are advised to undergo further examination to confirm the diagnosis.
False negative result
Please note, mammography can not detect all breast cancer. Therefore, this allows false negative results to appear, i.e. when the results of the examination do not show abnormalities, when in fact there are cancer cells in the patient's breast.
False-negative results can occur if the cancer cells in the patient's breast are very small or located in areas that are difficult to reach by mammography, such as in the armpit area. The probability of mammography giving a false negative result is 20%.
Broken or damaged implants
Plates used to flatten the breast can break or damage breast implants. Patients with this condition have to undergo surgery to replace the damaged implants.