When to have a mammogram?
The frequency of the examination depends on the age and the presence of any risk factors such as the familiarity of the oncological pathology.
- Between 35 and 40 years the diagnostic precision of the examination is very low but it could be useful to carry out a first reference mammogram, especially in the presence of the aforementioned risk factors. Often in this age group it is preferred to opt for breast ultrasound, a totally harmless technique for the body based on the use of ultrasounds. This examination is very useful both for the diagnosis of benign lesions, such as cysts and fibroadenomas, and for confirming the results of the mammography investigation.
- Even between the ages of 40 and 49, the higher density of the breast lends itself to misinterpretations of mammographic results. In this period it is recommended to repeat the examination every 24 months. In the presence of risk factors it is better to perform a control mammogram once a year. In fact, most breast cancers are sensitive to the presence of estrogen which drops dramatically after menopause.
- While between 40 and 50 years there are conflicting opinions on the usefulness of mammography, all the world associations involved in the fight against breast cancer agree on its extreme importance over the age of 50.
In this period of life the "exam" must be repeated once every 2 years. After the age of 70 it is advisable to further increase the frequency of the examination, performing it once every 12 months. In this age group the incidence of breast cancer is higher.The diagnosis is also less affected by errors due to the lower consistency of the breast tissue which is richer in adipose tissue and poorer in glandular tissue.
The mammography exam is neither risky nor too expensive in terms of time and money. However, an excess of controls could seriously endanger the emotional stability of the woman, causing anxiety and unnecessary worries.
The younger a woman is, the greater the risk of diagnosing a tumor that is actually benign, with very serious psychological repercussions.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
How to recognize breast cancer?
Unfortunately, in most cases, when the patient manifests the characteristic symptoms of breast cancer, the carcinoma is already in an advanced stage. The most common signal is the tactile perception of a painless lump or breast thickening, although it should be noted that not all lumps are malignant. For this reason, any new lump, like any suspicious area, must be checked by the doctor. Skin irritation, discharge in the absence of pregnancy, hypersensitivity and pain in the nipple are other characteristic symptoms of oncological disease.
There are also a whole series of non-palpable mammographic abnormalities that can only be highlighted by mammography.
Useful tips
It is necessary to recall once again the extreme importance of mammography in the prevention of breast cancer. It is therefore advisable to respect the repetition times provided for on the basis of age and any family predispositions. For this purpose it is useful to carefully note the dates of the exam by repeating it at regular intervals.
Dialogue with the doctor is also of fundamental importance. In fact, any anomalies found by self-examination must be promptly reported.
Palpation of one's breasts is not an easy technique to learn. In fact, it is necessary to learn to recognize natural lumps by paying attention to the size and shape of the breast. It is therefore useful to ask your doctor for advice, who will be able to indicate the best technique to perform this important self-diagnosis test.
In case of breast implants it is necessary to inform the mammography team in advance, making sure that the medical center has the appropriate requirements.
The documentation provided must be kept with extreme care and presented at each subsequent medical check-up. The results of the previous breast diagnostic investigations could be of fundamental importance for a possible comparison.
If you feel the psychological need to perform a mammogram, it is good to talk to your doctor about it, exposing your fears and concerns.
In-depth study: Mammography and breast implants "
