Introduction

Mammography is a specific type of imaging for examining the breasts. Most medical experts agree that successful treatment of breast cancer is linked to early diagnosis. Mammography plays an essential part in early detection of breast cancers because they show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them.

Procedure

During mammography, a specially qualified radiological technologist will put you in the correct position for taking the images. First, the breast is placed on a special platform and compressed with a paddle. Close contact the paddle to the breast will result in good imaging quality. However, it may cause some discomfort. You will be asked to change position slightly for taking different images. The routine views are a top-to-bottom view and a side view. The procedure is repeated for the other breast.

Indication

1. Screening : Mammography is the best imaging method for screening.
2. Problem solving : With a few exceptions, mammography is always indicated as a diagnostic   method for symptomatic patients.

Benefits

1. Imaging of the breast makes it easier for the physician to detect small tumors. While cancers are still small, the woman has more treatment options, and a cure is more likely.
2. The use of screening mammography increases the detection of small abnormal tissue growths confined to the milk ducts in the breast, called ductal carcinoma in situ ( DCIS ). These early tumors may be removed at this stage and mammography is the only proven method to reliably detect them.

Risks

1. Radiation risk : the theoretical possibility to increase frequency of breast cancer is very low.
2. Women should always inform their doctor or x-ray technologist if they are pregnant.