What is mammography and why is it so important to women’s health, and why should you get your Mammography Levelland? Mammography is the practice of taking internal images of the human breast with a specialized X-ray machine to detect breast cancer while it is in the early stages.
The mammogram can be a standard or a digital X-ray image. After the pictures are taken in a very specialized machine, the images are then examined and assessed for signs of cancer by a radiologist often a pair of them will both read the X-rays to determine if they are both seeing the same things. If the images are taken with a digital machine, a computer program called CAD, Computer Aided Detection and Diagnosis, also reads the X-rays and searches for any abnormalities, if the mammogram was taken using a normal X-ray, the films are scanned into the computer to be read by the CAD program. The program reads the images and places a tag on any area that is a concern so that the doctor can examine the spot more closely.
When reading the results, the doctors look for anything abnormal, such as any area of skin thickening, clusters of calcification (micro calcification), irregular areas of increased density, and asymmetrical issues (the two breasts aren’t the same). Cancerous and non-cancerous growths appear the same on the images, another mammogram called a diagnostic mammogram is done, and if the results are still unclear, an ultrasound, MRI or and the doctor can have a biopsy performed, in which a small section of the suspected tumor can be removed and checked for cancer.
It is recommended that starting at age 40 a woman should have a screening mammogram performed yearly or bi-yearly to check for the signs of breast cancer because it is easier to stop breast cancer while it is small. A women’s survival rate depends on the stage, size and whether or not the cancer has metastasized. Screenings are also done if any of the two of the signs of cancer become apparent during the interim.
Mammography is used in the early detection of breast cancer. If you have any questions about getting our annual or semi-annual breast cancer screening done, contact your local doctor of Mammography Levelland, and arrange for this vital piece of lifesaving medical diagnostics.
