Breast Cancer Mammogram Diagnosis

Breast cancer will affect roughly 1 in 12 women at some point during their life, with chances growing as they age. Fortunately, treatments are much more targeted and effective now, due to technological and diagnostic advances. A major factor in effective treatment is early detection. One of the most valuable tools in early detection is a breast cancer mammogram diagnosis.

During a breast cancer mammogram diagnosis, the breast area is x-rayed. A radiologist, trained to look for abnormalities that might indicate a tumor, will then look at the plates. Making the distinction between benign cysts and cancerous growths is a key part of their job.

In order for a mammogram to be performed, you will need to partially disrobe and lie against a flat (often cold) surface. Rarely painful, most women do however find the procedure uncomfortable.

Before the x-ray is taken, a technician will usually place a ‘compressor’ over the breast being photographed. This device flattens the tissue so that a clear picture will come through on the x-ray. The procedure only takes a couple of minutes at most, so the discomfort should not become unbearable.

Several different x-rays, from different angles, will be taken so that the radiologist is able to complete an in depth analysis of the breast tissue, based on the x-ray images. The more visual information that can be provided, the better, as a tumor in the earliest stage is extremely small, and may grow under the deepest tissue. Good, clear images also help doctors to rule out the possibility of a tumor with assurance.

The clearness of the images can be interfered with by some contemporary hygiene products. Products that may absorb some of the x-ray energy include deodorant with aluminum oxide (a common ingredient), sunscreen and skin ointments, amongst other things. The day of a scheduled breast cancer mammogram diagnosis, shower, but refrain from using any products (deodorant, creams, lotions, powders or sprays) that you would normally use. This will ensure that your mammogram is of the highest possible quality.

Physicians will also often perform a manual exam, similar to a self-exam, before or after a mammogram. While they won’t know your body as well as you do, their training allows them to identify lumps, thickening of tissue and other indicators that might be missed during a self-examination.

Hardened cell clumps will be looked for, during both the breast cancer mammogram diagnosis and the manual exam. Cancer cells are usually an irregular shape and immobile. Benign, fluid-filled cysts normally present as soft, mobile lumps.

Other diagnostic procedures can be performed if the patient wishes, or if either the mammogram or manual exam warrant further investigation. Becoming more common are ultrasounds. They do have their limits though, and are not exceptionally good at identifying very early cancer development.

The QM-MSP (quantitative multiplex methylation-specific PCR) is a new tool available that is able to identify, with high reliability, cancer growths with a clump of only 50 cells. Tests like this will continue to develop as technology advances, and become standard in the fight against cancer. The benefit of a breast cancer mammogram diagnosis should not be overlooked, despite new technology, though. It is a highly accurate tool, helping to combat breast cancer.

         

Introduction to Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Prevention – How to Prevent Breast Cancer
Environmental and Lifestyle Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Breast Cancer Stages – Breast Cancer Survival Rates
Breast Cancer Diagnosis - Breast Cancer Test
Breast Cancer Self Exam - Diagnosing Breast Cancer
Genetic Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast Cancer Diet Tests and Research
Breast Cancer Reconstruction Surgery Treatments
Chemotherapy Breast Cancer Medication
Breast Cancer Statistics, Diagnosis and Treatments
Breast Cancer Radiation Treatment
Breast Cancer Surgery Treatment