What Makes a Diagnostic Mammogram Different From a Screening Mammogram?
An x-ray of the breast is what mammography is. Screening mammograms are typically given to women without any noticeable symptoms to detect breast cancer, whereas diagnostic mammograms are used when concerning results arise from the screening mammography or when certain indications of breast cancer require tissue analysis by the physician.
Such indicators could be:
- A lump
- Breast ache
- Blunt discharge
- thinning of the breast’s skin
- alterations in breast size or form
Finding out whether these symptoms point to the presence of cancer can be assisted by diagnostic mammography. Diagnostic mammography uses sophisticated methods to produce a more in-depth image of the breast than screening mammograms do. They are also employed in unique situations, such as those involving patients who have breast implants.
What Does A Diagnostic Mammogram Entail?
Knowing that diagnostic mammography will take longer than a standard screening mammogram if your doctor orders one is essential. This is because more x-rays are taken, providing views of the breast from various angles. The radiologist giving the test may also zoom in on a specific area of the breast where there is a suspicion of an abnormality. To make an appropriate diagnosis, your doctor will have a better picture of the tissue thanks to this.
Mammograms can identify cancers that are too tiny to feel and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). They are aberrant cells that can develop into invasive cancer in some women and are seen in the lining of a breast duct.
There is no mass of these aberrant cells. Instead, they resemble small sand grains that are known as microcalcifications. These microcalcifications may constitute DCIS if lined up and/or clustered together. DCIS findings do not continually develop into an invasive malignancy. Studies are being conducted to help doctors decide which course to recommend for a woman’s unique DCIS inside the breast duct.
What Kind of Accuracy Do Mammograms Have in Identifying Cancerous Tumors?
The size of the tumour, the density of the breast tissue, and the radiologist’s expertise in performing and interpreting the mammography may all affect a mammogram’s capacity to find breast cancer. Women under 50 are less likely than older women to have breast malignancies detected by mammography. The reason for this could be that younger women tend to have denser breast tissue, which appears as white on mammograms. Similar to how a tumour looks white on mammography, making it difficult to spot.
In the previous ten years, mammography technology has made amazing advancements. Today, a 3D mammography, also known as tomosynthesis, is recommended. Compared to traditional X-ray analogue mammograms, this current mammography machine detects breast cancer 28% more accurately.
To find out if our mammography centre offers 3D mammography, call them in advance. You can also inquire as to whether the radiologist specializes in breast imaging. This helps your mammography to produce an accurate reading.
If you previously had mammograms performed at a different institution, have those mammograms delivered or picked up and brought there yourself. The radiologist should consistently compare earlier mammograms to the most recent ones.
The National Cancer Institute and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided the information for this page.
