A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast for signs of breast disease. The mammogram can detect cancer in its early stages to make treatment successful. This method is also known as Digital mammography.
People have become quite alert about their health conditions. A vital organ in every woman’s body is breast. Several problems are detected in maximum of women related to breast whether she is an unmarried women or breast feeding mother. Mammograms test is a wonderful way to detect such problems. This is a test that clicks the internal picture of the breast just like an X- ray. This helps in detecting any types of diseases or issues that is associated with your internal part of breast. The test must be done as per the schedule given by physician or experts.
Mammogram is a life saver
There are number of death of women caused by breast cancer. Mammogram is a safe low dose X-ray to show any abnormalities in the women’s breast. Mammograms have reduced the risks of dying with breast cancer in women over the age of 50. Some people believe that exposure to radiation have negative results. Experts have proved that the risk of screening is minimal when compared to the number of women saved when cancer is detected earlier. Mammogram is one of the latest technologies in the medical field which is used to save the lives of women. Recently digital imaging is introduced in which the images of mammograms are stored and saved electronically on computers. MRI or Magnetic Resonance imaging is an alternative to mammography. MRI is a combination of magnet,radio waves and a computer. It reveals much detailed images than mammography
What does mammogram show?
A screening mammogram is afool proof method to detect breast problems even before the lump is formed. It takes x-ray pictures of the breasts from different angles. Extra views of the breast can be taken to look for any changes in the breast these are called diagnostic mammograms. Mammograms depict two types of changes in the breast—Calcifications are small deposits of minerals on the breast tissues they appear like white spots on the pictures. They may or may not be cancerous. Masses can be changes like cysts, sacs and non-cancerous or solid tumors. A mass requires a biopsy to see the cancer cells in them.
When to get a mammogram?
In the modern times it is recommended that women after the age of 40 should get a mammogram done once a year. In cases of family history of cancer of the breast orovaries, this mammogram must be started an earlier age
Things one should know about getting a mammogram
- A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast which can find breast cancer that is too small to feel. Early detection can give more treatment choices.
- The best time to get a mammogram is after the period when the breasts are not so tender. If it is done after menopause it should be done at the same time every year.
- Deodorant, perfume, powder or lotion tend to change the picture make it hard to read the mammogram
- Mammogram should be taken every year even if one had breast implants.
- Mammogram can save life as treatment and cure is certain if started at an early stage
- There is no need fear mammogram. It is a fast procedure of 20 minutes. It is a safe method and there is very little discomfort to most women.
How does mammogram work?
A mammogram uses a machine designed to look at only the breast tissue. The machine has two plates that compress the breasts making the tissues spread apart. In Standard mammogram the pictures are printed on large sheets. A digital mammogram is like standard mammogram but the pictures are recorded and saved as files on the computer. Digital images can be sent online forspecialist’s opinion.
Advantages of mammography
Mammography makes it possible to detect cancer early and that increases the chances of survival. It is not a treatment but it leads to other tests which may be helpful. Breast cancer deaths can be prevented in women above the age of 50 who get regular mammography done.
Disadvantages of mammography
- Screening does detect but there can be false positives also
- There can be over diagnosis when screening detects cancer which would never have been diagnose if she was not screened and that cancer would not have had any effect on her health.
- Mammograms do not detect all aspects of cancer. There are some breast cancers that are untreatable even after being detected early.
Right schedule of mammograms test
If you are among the women who conduct mammogram tests on a regular basis must also take care of the schedule. The researchers found out that, if there is a discrepancy in mammograms timings it may not provide an accurate result. According to the specialists, the test must be scheduled during the menstrual cycle when you are in the first day.
Timing as per previous studies
The report on timing for the mammogram test differs from one place to another. According to the previous studies, this test must be conducted during the first half of the menstrual cycle of every woman. Another group of researchers’ do not agree with the same. Thus, they say during this time breast density of a women can be low. Thus the result may not be appropriate. As a matter of fact, the breast density is the factor which affects the performance of mammography. This is the time when the tissue remains totally dense. Thus, it becomes hindrance in finding out breast cancer.
Age for mammogram test
Mammogram test is not for all age group. Rather, a specific category of ladies with a particular age group must go ahead with such test. Women within the age of 35 to 54 years of age must go ahead with mammogram test. You must take advice from the expert dealing with the test about which will be the suitable period when particular women must proceed with the Mammogram test. Don’t overlook the seriousness of test; it really can save your life.
Angelina Jolie being one of the famous Hollywood stars has decided to make her double mastectomy expand more has made the women aware in Britain and have proceeded with the breast cancer test. This was as per the study published on Friday.
There was a time when people were really ashamed to speak about several problems related to breast cancer. But, today research on breast cancer has provided a different turn. Such that, people are coming forward to share their problems if something unusual happens with their breast and surroundings. Angelina Jolie’s surgery has become a biggest example in this connection. She has made every woman clear that breast cancer is surgery is just like a surgery that a normal person goes through. There is nothing to worry and nothing to get ashamed of.
The 39 aged Angelina Jolie proceeded with the surgery of breast cancer in the last year of May and has become a high profile human rights campaign. She also tested the mutation of BRCA1 gene which is known for increasing the risk of breast cancer. She wanted to reach public and every corner of home to speak about her surgery news. The awareness of breast cancer is going to touch the thought of thousands of people who wishes to eradicate this disease. The light threatening disease must be found without any hesitation.
The study was conducted in 21 clinics along with various regional centers. It was also found that only 4,847 referral testing presented in the month of June. The comparison with the same was made in the month of July last year.
The name of the study was termed as Angelina effect which was duly published in the well known journal named as breast cancer research. The whole credit goes to Angelina Jolie and the actor Brad Pitt who participated equally in this campaign with the hope of eradicating the fear from women’s mind.
The impact for Angelina Jolie will be much higher where announcement was laid down by other celebrities. This is due to the fact that she had an image as glamorous as well as very strong women.
The actress was quite successful in eradicating the fear from the mind of patients suffering from breast cancer. Even the ones who have been fearing of getting a threatening and exposed of sexual identity have decreased. Even those people who are not associated with health service centers in the process of genetic testing have reaped benefit.
The research made by the world health organization said that, the most common cancer faced by women world wide is none other than the breast cancer. Even according to the estimate more than the sum of 521,000 women died due to the deadly effect of breast cancer in the year 2012.
The actress Angelina Jolie also won Oscar prize for her contribution and have drawn major attention due to her wonderful noble work worldwide. People suffering from sexual violence also have reaped benefit from the effort laid down by Angelina Jolie. She was also rewarded with the name, ‘Goodwill Ambassador for the UNHCR in the year 2001 by the high commissioner Antonio Gurettes. Her contribution for conflict against sexual violence was really successful.
Awareness of breast cancer by Angelina Jolie
The famous Hollywood actress, Angelina Jolie has gone through a surgery related to breast cancer. She went through not a usual surgery but a double mastectomy along with reconstructive surgery. This means, she had to remove both her breast when the specialist found that she is suffering from the genetic mutation. If the surgery would not have been taken place, there will be a good chance that she suffers from serious breast cancer issue. Angelina was bold enough and went through the surgery without any second thought. Even after her surgery she is continuing her acting. Her show business has not come to an end due to this surgery.
Risk of physical condition
The actress had a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer of 50% frequency as the mutation of BRCA1 took place. Even she had a risk of getting breast cancer of 87%. But she won over the hurdle and now living normal life once again. This incident has attracted a lot of media attention. Angelia was really happy to make the general public aware of such serious mutation in cells. She asks every lady regardless of their age to go ahead with test right from the first stage. It will be good if every individual go through a regular checkup at least once in every 3- 6 months. It is better to prevent rather than going through the process of curing. Angelina also said that each women will stay sound and happy and lead healthy life after the surgery.
