Patient Journey - Baheya Hospital

Category : Medical Articles | 12 Jun. 2024

Early detection of breast cancer is conducted through a simple test called "mammography," which is used to detect breast cancer in women who do not show any apparent symptoms of the disease.

When Should You Undergo Early Detection?
Women aged 40 or 35 in the case of a family history of the disease should be encouraged to schedule a mammogram and adhere to the recommended follow-up appointments. It is recommended for women over 20 years old to undergo early detection if they notice any symptoms of breast cancer. For mammograms, women over the age of 35 with a family history and those over 40 years old should undergo screening.

How to Perform Mammography:

Initially, the doctor will ask if there is a family history of the disease.
Your position will be determined on the mammography machine, and the breast will be placed on the X-ray receptor.
The machine gently compresses the breast for a few seconds to capture a clear image of the breast.

A mammogram is taken using a safe device that employs low-dose X-rays. The technician will ask you to stand facing the machine, after which each breast is placed separately on a flat surface. Another flat surface – called a compression paddle – is then lowered onto the breast to gently compress it.
Compression is important to spread the breast tissue and prevent movement, which could blur the image. This compression might cause some discomfort but is not harmful. The compression usually lasts only a few seconds. During this time, an X-ray beam is emitted from above and passes through the breast tissue. The X-ray image is then stored on a film cassette under the breast or digitally on a computer.
In the image, dense breast tissues, such as cancer and calcifications, appear bright and white, while less dense tissues, such as fat, appear dark or gray. After the X-ray image is taken, the compression is released, and the technician changes the angle of the machine. The technician will again position your breast on a flat surface and gently lower the compression paddle to take another X-ray image. This process may be repeated once more.
After this procedure, the images are processed and analyzed by a radiologist. A final report is sent to your doctor.
If the mammogram results are abnormal, follow-up is necessary to determine the exact health condition. It should be noted that an abnormal mammogram result does not necessarily mean breast cancer.
Early detection increases the cure rate to 98%; therefore, we recommend all women undergo early detection to ensure their health.

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