Women over 40 should undergo a mammography once a year

Breast cancer, which is seen in one of every 8 women today, is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in women. The diagnosis of breast cancer, which is treatable and can be cured when detected at an early stage with regular screening, can be diagnosed using technological diagnostic methods. Digital mammography, which is one of the scanning methods, allows to see nodules that are too small to be touched, and enables the masses that cannot be seen even in ultrasound to be marked and removed.   

Images obtained from digital mammography, taken with a lower dose of radiation compared to normal mammography, can be examined in much more detail on the screen, since they are done in a very high resolution. Digital mammography is a low-dose X-ray imaging method used in breast cancer screening and early detection. Thanks to digital mammography, cancerous cells can be detected when they are very small and at a stage that can be easily treated. Despite all its advantages, small masses cannot be seen with digital mammography in those with dense breast tissue. In these cases, the radiologist may request additional imaging methods such as ultrasonography, tomosynthesis and breast MRI.

If a woman notices a palpable mass in the breasts, if there is a collapse in the nipple, if the breast skin is hard, if there is fluid coming from the breast and if there is a breast implant, mammography can be performed for diagnostic purposes. If there is a family history of breast cancer, it is important to have it done at an earlier age.   

The advantages of digital mammography include the high resolution of images, the detection of cancer cells microscopically, the detection of calcification areas, the detection of nodules that are too small to be palpable, and the ability to mark and remove masses that cannot be seen even on ultrasound.

Among the advantages of digital mammography are the high resolution of the images, the detection of cancer cells microscopically, the detection of calcification areas, the detection of nodules that are too small to be palpable, and the ability to mark and remove masses that cannot be seen even on ultrasound. 

During this examination, images of each breast are obtained from the front and the side in two different positions. If there is a suspicious finding, some additional images can be taken for diagnosis. In people with sensitive breast tissue, digital mammography should not be performed in the premenstrual period as it will increase the pain because the breast is compressed. It is important to take a bath before the mammography examination, and not to use occlusive substances such as deodorant, talcum powder and lotion on the armpits. Before the examination, it is necessary to inform about the diseases in the family, whether there is a history of surgery, the possibility of pregnancy, and previous breast scan images must be shown to the doctor too. 

A pressure may be felt in the breast during the digital mammogram procedure. There is no ongoing pain after the procedure. The reason for this feeling of pressure is due to the compression of the breast tissue between the two plates of the mammography device.   

Performing the compression process accurately and sufficiently increases the diagnostic value. Adequate compression provides a clearer imaging opportunity, especially in women with dense breast structure, by allowing the tissue layers to separate one from another.