Basically,
mammography is part of the X-ray group of medical exams that specializes
medical imaging using a low-dose X-ray system to see the inside of a woman’s
breasts.
In
X-ray exams, the doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions where the
patient is exposed to a small dose of ionizing radiation to help produce
pictures of the inside of the body. (In mammogram Toowoomba, it is the breast.)
This
mammography exam (called a mammogram Toowoomba) greatly helps in the early detection (and
diagnosis) of breast diseases in women.
Advances
At
present, there are three recent advances in mammography. These include digital
mammography,
computer-aided detection and breast tomosynthesis.
The
digital mammography is the system of a mammography where the X-ray film before is
replaced by digital electronics. This actually converts X-rays into
mammographic pictures of the breasts.
Going digital
Similar
to those in digital cameras, this produces better pictures with lower radiation
loss. The images of the breast are transferred to a computer for review by a
radiologist and for long term storage.
Digital
mammography now has developed into a system in which the X-ray film is replaced
by
electronics. The result is that it converts X-rays into mammographic pictures
of the
breasts.
These
systems are very similar to those found in digital cameras. Their efficiency, however,
enables them better picture and lower radiation dose.
Tomosynthesis (DBT)
The
other name for Breast tomosynthesis is actually termed 3D or three dimensional
mammography
and digital breast intomation DBI).
Breast
tomosynthesis (also called three-dimensional mammography is an advanced form of
breast imaging. Multiple images of the breast from different angles are
captured and reconstructed into a three-dimensional image set, very similar to
computer tomography.
Other uses
In
other instances, mammogram Toowoomba are used as a screening tool to detect early the
presence of breast cancer in women, especially those that have not experienced
any symptoms.
They
can also be used to detect and diagnose breast disease in women experiencing
symptoms.
Usually, these are listed variously as lumps, pain, skin dimpling and some
nipple discharge.
Screening mammography
Screening
mammography is this one specific type of breast imaging that uses low-dose
X-rays to detect cancer early. As it is, mammography had played a central part
in the early detection of breast cancers.
Now,
the findings can now show the changes in the breast years before a patient or
doctor can feel them. The current guide these days is to screen mammography
every year for women beginning at age 40.
Research
had shown that annual mammograms lead to early detection of breast cancers when
they are most curable and that several breast-conservation therapies are
available.
Diagnostic
mammography
Another
form of mammography used in evaluating patients with abnormal clinical findings
(breast lumps or nipple discharge) is diagnostic mammography.
Diagnostic
mammography is also be done after an abnormal screening mammogram in
order
to evaluate the area of concern on the screening exam. The patient is advised
to discuss any new findings or breast problems with her doctor.
Also,
before mammography, inform your doctor of prior surgeries, hormone use, and
family history of breast cancer.
