Mammography - all about it
#1. Mammography is not advised for women below 40 years of age. This is because the breast tissue of younger women is more dense than older women and appears as a white, dense area in the mammogram. As breast cancer also appears white, it becomes difficult to detect breast cancer through this screening procedure. Moreover, breast cancer is quite common in women above 50 years, and hence, women between 50 – 75 years should undergo mammography.
#2. If you are young and have a family history of breast cancer, then your doctor might recommend you to undergo a mammogram. If you experience any symptoms of breast cancer likes a lump in the breast, leaking of breast or changes in the breast size and shape, then it is time you should go for mammography, even you are 25 years old or younger.
#3. Not many people know that there are two types of mammography – screening and diagnostic. A screening mammography is a routine X-ray of the breast in women without any visible sings of breast cancer. It is mostly recommended for women above 40 years of age. On the other hand, a diagnostic mammography is a breast X-ray where a woman shows symptoms of breast cancer or if the doctor suspects any abnormality in the breast.
#4. One should never go for a mammography without a doctor’s referral. Hence, it is wise to consult a doctor first if you experience any signs and symptoms of breast cancer or abnormality in the breast before getting tested on your won. As your doctor might examine first and then, ask for specific tests to be done to screen and then confirm the diagnosis.
#5. Mammography acts as an important screening tool for breast cancer in older women. During the procedure, an expert will position your breast in the mammography unit, which compresses or flattens the breast to spread the breast tissue for a clear picture. Most women might experience pain or discomfort as the breasts are compressed. If the pain is severe, do let the expert know about it so as to change the angle or minimise the pressure exerted on the breasts. The procedure usually takes around 30 minutes, and the patient can resume his routine work after the test.
#6. The best time to go for a mammography is around a week after your periods. This is because, during menstruation, the breast becomes tender due to hormonal changes in the body, which further worsens the pain experienced during the test. Hence, anytime after the first three to four days of your periods is the right time for mammography.
#7. In most cases, it is advised not to wear powders or deodorants on the day of the screening as these might appear as calcium spots on the mammogram. Also, pregnant women are not advised to undergo a mammogram, hence do speak to your doctor if you are pregnant. more
#2. If you are young and have a family history of breast cancer, then your doctor might recommend you to undergo a mammogram. If you experience any symptoms of breast cancer likes a lump in the breast, leaking of breast or changes in the breast size and shape, then it is time you should go for mammography, even you are 25 years old or younger.
#3. Not many people know that there are two types of mammography – screening and diagnostic. A screening mammography is a routine X-ray of the breast in women without any visible sings of breast cancer. It is mostly recommended for women above 40 years of age. On the other hand, a diagnostic mammography is a breast X-ray where a woman shows symptoms of breast cancer or if the doctor suspects any abnormality in the breast.
#4. One should never go for a mammography without a doctor’s referral. Hence, it is wise to consult a doctor first if you experience any signs and symptoms of breast cancer or abnormality in the breast before getting tested on your won. As your doctor might examine first and then, ask for specific tests to be done to screen and then confirm the diagnosis.
#5. Mammography acts as an important screening tool for breast cancer in older women. During the procedure, an expert will position your breast in the mammography unit, which compresses or flattens the breast to spread the breast tissue for a clear picture. Most women might experience pain or discomfort as the breasts are compressed. If the pain is severe, do let the expert know about it so as to change the angle or minimise the pressure exerted on the breasts. The procedure usually takes around 30 minutes, and the patient can resume his routine work after the test.
#6. The best time to go for a mammography is around a week after your periods. This is because, during menstruation, the breast becomes tender due to hormonal changes in the body, which further worsens the pain experienced during the test. Hence, anytime after the first three to four days of your periods is the right time for mammography.
#7. In most cases, it is advised not to wear powders or deodorants on the day of the screening as these might appear as calcium spots on the mammogram. Also, pregnant women are not advised to undergo a mammogram, hence do speak to your doctor if you are pregnant. more
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Vinod, I know the pain you and your wife must have felt when she was given the diagnosis. I lost two brothers-in-law in 13 days from cancer, and two aunts and a grandfather over thw years from cancer. Cancer is an equal opportunity disease. It is nice to know you both had more time together. If Qigong works, I am all ears. I would like to learn more about it. Is pranic energy the same thing? I know so little about this. Thank you for sharing your story and your pain. Barbara more
Oct 21
Barbara, I lost my wife to ovarian Cancer 16 years ago. She had mammography, pap test, yearly gynecological tests yearly, in Israel. Still they could not catch the cancer, only when it was metastatic and there was fluid in the lungs. This was 20 years ago. We went to China to learn Qigong from the source. Normal expected life span, we were told by the oncologists, is 3-6 months. She lived for 3 years six months, except loosing hair their were no other symptoms of being unwell. We travelled extensive as tomorrow was the present, no narcotics were needed for pain relief. No medicine was taken after the second set of treatment. I practiced along with her and have continued. I do not take any medicines or supplements at the age of 83, no dieting, I practice daily for 1-2 hours in addition to the daily walk. I moved to India in 2007 to be with my children and have been trying to get people take up Qigong to avoid dependence on medicines. With the hype about Yoga and other disciplines like Reiki. Pranic healing and all the babas, have not been able to get any traction. Enough, talked too much, just do not want people to suffer but the final choice is personal. more
Oct 21
cancer is a cloud on head, it may rain or a drop of water fall on a single person.my aunt at the age of 78 had breast cancer. she was unmarried. she had chemo later died at the age of 82 due to renal failure. you all know how the renal failure is induced.did you ever see statistics on the longevity of patients who had complete course for cancer and those who ran away without any treatment due to financial crunch. more
Oct 20
If at all cancer is found (be it breast cancer or any other type), there is no NEW technique/ technology for treatment. I do not recommend Mammography at no stage..... Every 'object' gets produced initially in the mind (plasma form- manomaya kosa - Self-conscious state), then affects body fluids & breathing, etc. (gaseous form & liquid form - conscious state & life state - Jyanamaya Kosa & Pranamaya Kosa) and then physical body (solid state - material state).... In olden days we used to recite slokas/ religious verses while taking bath (in the river, pond, bathroom, etc.) and while rubbing the body after bath.... Such performance would enhance 'good health'.... while all the tests (be it self-done or with the help of instruments, etc.) are methods to 'convert people into patients'.... Test reports are 'effects' and they do not throw any light on the 'cause'.... This sort of detailed posts, in my opinion, would help to spread 'ill-health' and should not be taken seriously. more
Oct 20
Radha, You have written a very well thought out post. I started having mammograms just before I turned 40 and as you noted, if there is a history of breast cancer, then the scans can be done even earlier. The only problem is that some women, with no known history in their family, get this cancer. Vinod, This technology, despite current opinion to the contrary, is helping. And the earlier we catch the disease the better we are able to defeat it. My sister was in her late 40's when she was diagnosed. She had it treated with surgery, chemo and radiation. She is still alive 16 years later. In the US October is breast cancer awareness month. We wear pink ribbons, pink clothing, etc to remind women and men that breast cancer has not been conquered. There is a higher survival rate, but it is not by any means conquered. Look, I am not afraid to use alternative means to help my body. My doctor is from India. I use homeopathic treatments that have helped me. The herbal treatments were a bust, as I have so many allergies. I have used yoga, tai chi and now do conditioning, insanity and cize to keep my body moving. I wish I could say that I maintain a healthy weight and eat all the right foods. I am a grandmother and great grandmother and my husband and I drive all over to root the kids at their soccer [internationlly football], lacross, and baseball, tag football [US useage] and the littilist does cheer leading. We help with homework, feeding them twice a week and getting them to practice or scouts. We love doing it, but it means sitting, eating out and eating what the kids like. Bragging rights: Our 12 year old granddaughter and her team just tied for first place in the soccer championship against a bigger school. Score 1 - 1. Women should always talk to their doctor or ob/gyn [gynocologist] regarding this issue. A little bit of pain [I call it my annual mash] is far better than have a big pain later [cancer surgery and/or other treatments]. Prevention and early detection beats treatment and surgery. I am a reiki master and if I thought for one minute that I could defeat cancer, I would be screaming it from the rooftop. This is one of those times that modern medicine can help and cure. Alternative means can be used to support the woman's health while undergoing treatment. more
Oct 20
