Digital Mammography
Diagnostic Centre has Digital Mammographywhich is a low dose x-ray picture of the breast. It can be used to check for breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms of the disease. It can also be used if a women have a lump or other sign of breast cancer. Studies reveal that over 16% of Indian women of the age group 40-60 are at risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Further, delayed detection can result in 1 of every 22 women developing breast cancer in India. The best way to detect breast cancer early is to go for regular breast screening exams.Digital mammography is a specialized form of mammography that uses digital receptors and computers instead of x-ray film to help examine breast tissue for breast cancer. The electrical signals can be read on computer screens.
As with all X-rays, mammograms use doses of ionizing radiation to create images. These images are then analyzed for abnormal findings.
Sono-mammography (Ultrasound of Breast)
Diagnostic Centres are also doing Sonomammography or breast ultrasound which is a non-invasive procedure performed to assess the breasts and the blood flow to areas inside it. This test allows quick visualization of the breast tissue. The examination is often done along with mammography (x-ray of breast tissue) to study a mass or lump.
A breast ultrasound or sono-mammography is recommended for women
- When a breast lump (mass) or a general lumpiness is felt in the breast
- To determine if the abnormality detected through mammography or a palpable lump is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid tumour
- Breast tissue is too dense to be assessed accurately by mammography
- In high risk patients with family history of breast cancer, past history of breast cancer or in females older than 35 years of age as a preventive measure to screen for breast cancer
- Additional method to evaluate the breast, when mammography is not so clear.
Advantages
- Quick & non-invasive
- Painless
- Inexpensive
- Does not require any prior preparation
- Useful for evaluating breast masses
- Identifies if a suspicious mass is a cyst (fluid-filled sac) without even placing a needle into it to aspirate fluid