Women’s Health

Mammography

Mammography is the branch of radiology that focuses on the breast. It is used to detect breast cancer or to determine the cause of breast problems. The basic mammogram falls under two categories, diagnostic and screening mammogram. A mammogram screening is used to help detect breast cancer in women who may or may not have symptoms. A diagnostic mammogram is performed when the physician is diagnosing a problem. In this case, additional images are often performed. For example, a breast ultrasound may be performed in conjunction with a mammogram. According to the American Cancer Society, one of the best detection of early breast cancer is self examination.

A Mammography exam checks for early signs of cancer.

There are a variety of x-ray exams that fall under mammography, including:

• Needle localization
• Galactogram
• Breast biopsy

Registered technologists perform your exam. A radiologist trained to read mammograms will read the images produced as a result of the procedure. During the procedure, the breast is compressed and radiographic images are taken. This process is often uncomfortable to the patient, but necessary.

There are several reasons why compression is important, including:

• Compression helps separate tissue that is overlapping
• Not compressing increases the risk of missing early cancer
• The amount of radiation exposure to the breast is decreased by compression