5 FACTS ABOUT MAMMOGRAPHY

A mammography (known as an X-ray of the breasts) is a screening examination used to detect breast lesions. If your screening appointment is set, knowing some information about mammography will be useful. 

There are 5 facts you should know: 
 

The purpose of mammography is to detect any changes of your breasts. The X-ray machines use low doses of radiation to reduce your exposure. 
 

It is best to have mammography appointment one week after your periods. Your breasts are not tender or swollen at that time, making you feel more comfortable with the X-ray process. 

Wear a skirt or pants as you need to remove your top and your bra. Don’t apply deodorants, antiperspirants, body powders, or creams, ointment to your breasts on the day of your mammography appointment. These substances can look like calcium deposits on X-ray images. 
 

The whole process takes around 20 minutes. Each breast will be compressed between two plates in some seconds. These two plates can be repositioned to show different views. Flattening the breast tissue can be uncomfortable but necessary to get a good-quality images.
 

You will receive the results within 1 hours after the X-ray. If the doctors find suspicious lesions, you can be asked either to take new focus incidence on the areas of concerning lesion or to have an complementary ultrasound. 

 

In addition, if necessary, the doctors will perform fine needle aspiration (FNA) or breast biopsy under ultrasound guidance by our radiologists.

 

The tissue sample will be sent to anapath pathology. Depending on the results, you will be consulted with specialists of our hospital. 

 

At American International Hospital (AIH), the cancer screening strategy is personalized. Our doctors will give you advice on appropriate testing methods to assess cancer risks.