What you need to know about:

Mammogram

Fast Fact

93%

Worth It Rating

Average Cost:

$6,400

Recovery Period:

No downtime

Permanence:

Depends on patient condition

177

Doctors

Time it takes:

30 minutes

Hospitals & Clinics

Reviews

Anesthetize:

None

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Overview of

Mammogram

in Thailand

A mammography is the process of using low-energy-X-rays to examine breast and is used as a diagnostic and a screening tool. Mammography is used to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases. Research has shown that annual mammograms lead to early detection of breast cancers, when they are most curable and breast-conservation therapies are available. Digital mammography is a mammography system in which the x-ray film is replaced by detectors that convert x-rays into electrical signals. These detectors are similar to those found in digital cameras. The electrical signals are used to produce images of the breast that can be seen on a computer screen or printed on special film. Computer-aided detection (CAD) is a computer-based process designed to analyze mammographic images for suspicious areas that may indicate the presence of cancer. The CAD system highlights these areas on the images, alerting the radiologist to the need for further analysis. WHAT ARE SOME COMMON USES OF THE PROCEDURE? Breast screening to detect early breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends screening mammography every year for women, beginning at age 40. Research has shown that annual mammograms lead to early detection of breast cancers, when they are most curable and breast-conservation therapies are available. Women who have had breast cancer and those who are at increased risk due to a genetic history of breast cancer should seek expert medical advice about whether they should begin screening before age 40 and about the frequency of screening. To diagnose breast disease in women experiencing symptoms such as a lump, pain or nipple discharge.

Goals of

Mammogram

Mammographies are performed for two reasons: 1) Mammograms are a screening test to check for breast cancer in women who do not have signs or symptoms of the disease 2) Mammograms are diagnostic tests used to check lumps or other symptoms that you have found yourself or that have been found by an obstetrician–gynecologist (ob-gyn) or other health care professional.

Price of

Mammogram

Average Cost

$6,400

Price Range

$3,000 to $7,500

Pros and cons of

Mammogram

Pros

-Imaging of the breast improves a physician's ability to detect small tumors. When cancers are still small, the woman has more treatment options and a cure is more likely.

-No radiation remains in a patient's body after an x-ray examination. -X-rays usually have no side effects in the diagnostic range.

Cons

-Initial mammographic images themselves are not usually enough to determine the existence of a benign or malignant disease with certainty. If a finding or spot seems suspicious, your radiologist may recommend further diagnostic studies; ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for example.

-Interpretation of mammograms can be difficult because a normal breast can appear differently for each woman. The appearance of an image may be compromised if you have undergone breast surgery.

-Because some breast cancers are hard to visualize, a radiologist may want to compare the image to views from previous examinations.

-Cancer can be seen on mammograms about 80-90% accuracy. In other words, not all breast cancers can be seen on mammography.

-Breast implants can also impede accurate mammogram readings by obscured parts of breast tissue.

A radiologist will read your mammogram results. The time it takes to get results varies. You can ask how long it takes to get results when you get your mammogram. If you haven't heard anything in about a month, give your doctor a call. If you find out that your mammogram results are abnormal, you’ll need to get some follow-up tests. Try not to panic — an abnormal result doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer. In fact, less than 1 in 10 people called back after an abnormal mammogram have breast cancer. It just means that more tests are needed to understand if anything is going on. Your doctor might recommend you for the following: 1. Biopsy — a small amount of tissue is removed from your breast and analyzed to see if there are any cancer cells 2. Core-needle biopsy — a nonsurgical procedure where tissue is removed using a hollow needle 3. Ultrasound — sound waves are used to find lumps 4. Diagnostic mammogram — a type of mammogram that focuses on problem areas

Risks & side effects

There is always a slight chance of cancer from excessive exposure to radiation. However, the benefit of an accurate diagnosis far outweighs the risk. False positive mammograms. 5 percent to 15 percent of screening mammograms require more testing such as additional mammograms or ultrasound. Most of these tests turn out to be normal. If there is an abnormal finding, a follow-up or biopsy may have to be performed. Most of the biopsies confirm that no cancer was present. Women should always inform their physician or x-ray technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. Breast implants hides some of the breast tissue, so more pictures than a regular mammogram, with and without displaced implant is required, and ruptured could occurred with older or weakened implants. However, the risk of rupture is very small and the risk of breast cancer is far greater. The interpretation of mammograms can be difficult for woman younger than 40 or hormone user because of dense breast tissue. The breast tissue of woman younger than 40 is more sensitive to radiation; even mammograms use low-dose x-ray.

FAQs:

Mammogram

Are mammograms painful?

Some women find the pressure of the plates on their breasts to be uncomfortable or even painful. Timing your mammogram when your breasts are not tender is important. In premenopausal women, this is usually 1 week after your menstrual period. If you do experience discomfort or pain, ask the technologist to reposition you to try to make it as painless as possible. Remember that each X-ray takes just a few moments and could save your life.

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Can the radiation from a mammogram harm me?‍

You are exposed to a small amount of radiation when you get a mammogram. While this exposure can increase the risk of breast cancer over time, the increase is so small that studies show the benefits outweigh the risks (especially for women who are 50 and older).

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