Imaging diagnostics let doctors see inside the human body without being invasive, creating images of anatomical structures and helping diagnose or detect conditions that could put a person’s health at risk.<\/p>\n
For women, breast ultrasound and mammogram are two methods that help diagnose breast cancer at an early stage, supporting effective treatment and recovery, notes Dr. Jonathan Salazar Segovia, radiologist specializing in breast imaging at ABC Medical Center.<\/p>\n
In 2020, 685,000 people died from breast cancer worldwide. Roughly half of all breast cancer cases occur in women with no specific risk factors beyond sex and age, according to the World Health Organization.<\/p>\n
A mammogram uses low doses of radiation, which are very safe, to capture images of the breast and the underarm area. Mammography is the only screening method that’s been shown to reduce mortality from this type of cancer.<\/p>\n
Breast ultrasound, on the other hand, doesn’t involve radiation, it uses sound waves to create images of the inside of the breast.<\/p>\n
Both tests are used primarily for the early diagnosis of breast cancer, but they’re also useful for detecting other conditions, such as inflammatory or autoimmune issues, or anything directly related to the breast or underarm area.<\/p>\n
Depending on the patient’s symptoms, the doctor will determine which test is appropriate. But when it comes specifically to breast cancer screening, every woman over 40 should undergo a mammogram, notes Dr. Salazar.<\/p>\n
Once a woman reaches this age, she should begin getting a mammogram annually; this test may need to be paired with other imaging methods depending on breast density. This is because having a higher amount of glandular tissue is considered “dense breast tissue”, a completely normal condition in many women, which increases the likelihood that additional testing will be needed.<\/p>\n
The first of these additional tests is tomosynthesis, which is an advanced form of mammogram. It’s mainly used in patients with dense breast tissue and can be performed alongside a standard mammogram.<\/p>\n
The second is breast ultrasound, which is also used for patients with dense breast tissue, since mammograms tend to be less effective at detecting nodules when there’s less fatty tissue in the breast. It’s important to note that ultrasound alone isn’t recommended as the sole method for diagnosing breast cancer, since certain types of breast cancer aren’t visible through ultrasound alone.<\/p>\n
During a mammogram, the patient stands in front of a specialized X-ray machine called a mammography unit; each breast is compressed, and two images are taken per breast, or four, if the patient has implants. Depending on what the images show, additional views may be needed; this is a normal part of the process and is used when a specific area of the breast needs closer examination, either because something caught the radiologist’s attention or to get a different angle to confirm everything looks normal.<\/p>\n
Before the mammogram or ultrasound, patients are asked to complete a brief clinical questionnaire aimed at identifying factors that increase breast cancer risk, for example, whether the patient has had children, breastfed, has breast implants, is experiencing any symptoms, or has a family history of the disease, among other questions.<\/p>\n
Breast ultrasound, on the other hand, is less uncomfortable because it involves no compression. For this test, the patient lies face-up while the technician examines each breast using a transducer that makes contact with the skin.<\/p>\n
Since both tests are considered routine, it’s best to schedule them around 10 days after menstruation to minimize discomfort from compression. However, if the test is done because of specific symptoms, it can be performed at any time.<\/p>\n
Dr. Salazar notes that many people assume the greatest breast cancer risk applies to those with a close family member who’s had it; in reality, around 75% of breast cancer cases occur in women with no risk factors or family history at all. For this reason, regardless of risk level, women should get an annual mammogram starting at age 40, supplemented with an ultrasound when needed.<\/p>\n
At ABC Medical Center’s Women’s Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Imaging diagnostics let doctors see inside the human body without being invasive, creating images of anatomical structures and helping diagnose or detect conditions that could put a person’s health at risk. For women, breast ultrasound and mammogram are two methods that help diagnose breast cancer at an early stage, supporting effective treatment and recovery, notes […]<\/p>\n