Mammography
hideMammography is the process of using low-dose amplitude-X-rays (usually around 0.7 mSv) to examine the human breast and is used as a diagnostic as well as a screening tool. The goal of mammography is the early detection of breast cancer, typically through detection of characteristic masses and/or microcalcifications. Mammography is believed to reduce mortality from breast cancer. No other imaging technique has been shown to reduce risk, but breast self-examination (BSE) and physician examination are considered essential parts of regular breast care.
In many countries routine mammography of older women is encouraged as a screening method to diagnose early breast cancer. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening mammography, with or without clinical breast examination, every 1-2 years for women aged 40 and older. Altogether clinical trials have found a relative reduction in breast cancer mortality of 20%, but the two highest-quality trials found no reduction in mortality. Mammograms have been controversial since 2000, when a paper highlighting the results of the two highest-quality studies was published.
Like all x-rays, mammograms use doses of ionizing radiation to create images. Radiologists then analyze the image for any abnormal findings. It is normal to use longer wavelength X-rays (typically Mo-K) than those used for radiography of bones.
At this time, mammography along with physical breast examination is the modality of choice for screening for early breast cancer. Ultrasound, ductography, positron emission mammography (PEM), and magnetic resonance imaging are adjuncts to mammography. Ultrasound is typically used for further evaluation of masses found on mammography or palpable masses not seen on mammograms. Ductograms are still used in some institutions for evaluation of bloody nipple discharge when the mammogram is non-diagnostic. MRI can be useful for further evaluation of questionable findings as well as for screening pre-surgical evaluation in patients with known breast cancer to detect any additional lesions that might change the surgical approach, for instance from breast-conserving lumpectomy to mastectomy. New procedures, not yet approved for use in the general public, including breast tomosynthesis may offer benefits in years to come.
Mammography has a false-negative (missed cancer) rate of at least 10 percent. This is partly due to dense tissues obscuring the cancer and the fact that the appearance of cancer on mammograms has a large overlap with the appearance of normal tissues.
For more information about Mammography, read the full article at
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News tagged with mammograms
Mammogram guidelines spark debate over health bill
Nov 23, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Lawmakers broke along party lines on a new aspect of the health care debate Sunday as a former National Institutes of Health chief urged women to ignore guidelines that delay the start of breast cancer screenings.
GOP: Health test recommendations could affect care
Nov 21, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Republicans are seizing on this week's recommendations for fewer Pap smears and mammograms to fuel concern about government-rationed medical care - and to try to chip away support by women for President ...
Report: 20-somethings can go 2 years between Paps
Nov 20, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Most women in their 20s can have a Pap smear every two years instead of annually, say new guidelines that conclude that's enough to catch slow-growing cervical cancer.
Task force doctor stands by mammogram advice
Nov 19, 2009 |
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(AP) -- A member of the panel whose new mammogram recommendations have led to confusion is defending the task force's report.
Sebelius: Women should get mammograms by age 40
Nov 18, 2009 |
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(AP) -- Women should continue getting regular mammograms starting at age 40, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Wednesday, moving to douse confusion caused by a task-force recommendation ...
New mammogram advice raises questions, concerns
Nov 16, 2009 |
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(AP) -- For many women, getting a mammogram is already one of life's more stressful experiences. Now, women in their 40s have the added anxiety of trying to figure out if they should even be getting one at ...
Breast density associated with increased risk of cancer recurrence
Nov 09, 2009 |
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A new study finds that women treated for breast cancer are at higher risk of cancer recurrence if they have dense breasts. Published in the December 15, 2009 issue of Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer ...
A serving of soy a day can help keep breast cancer away
Oct 23, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- It is estimated that 40,170 women will die from breast cancer in 2009, and while much less common in men, they are not immune to the disease. It is estimated that 1,910 diagnoses of invasive breast cancer ...
Piezoelectric Fingers Key in New Breast Cancer Detector
Sep 24, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers at Drexel University are developing a new portable, low-cost, radiation-free breast cancer detector that can potentially be used in a doctor's office as a first-line to detect breast cancer.
Patient perception is vital when reporting medical errors
Sep 01, 2009 |
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When reporting medical errors, patients' perceptions of their physicians' disclosure may be key to gaining their trust, according to researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. However, a positive ...
Digital mammography plus digital breast tomosynthesis may decrease patient recall rates
Aug 05, 2009 |
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Nationally, about ten percent of women in the US are recalled for a second mammogram after an abnormality is detected on the first one—for most women this can be very stressful. However the use of digital breast tomosynthesis ...
I-SPY trial offers key insights into locally advanced breast cancer
Jun 02, 2009 |
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Scientists are reporting two findings that could influence the way researchers screen for, treat and assess prognosis for women with locally advanced breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease. One finding offers a ...
A break from hormone therapy doesn't improve mammograms
Jun 01, 2009 |
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Some women take a short break from using postmenopausal hormone therapy before getting their breasts screened for cancer with mammography. They hope to lower their risk of being called back afterward for unnecessary extra ...
Study: Cancer survivors not getting needed tests
Jun 01, 2009 |
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(AP) -- New research finds that people who had radiation treatments for cancer as children are less likely than the general public or even their healthy siblings to get recommended screening tests.
More to Second Life than just sex
May 25, 2009 |
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Researchers at the University of Toronto and the University Health Network's Centre for Innovation in Complex Care (CICC) have found that a wide array of health-related activity occurs in the 3 dimensional virtual world of ...
