Mammography - what is it? Mammography or ultrasound - which is better?

The representatives of the fair sex for various reasons have to face breast examinations. It is worth noting that the female body is subject to cyclical changes in the reproductive age. Hormones also affect the chest. That is why breast ultrasound or mammography are the same popular examinations as examination of a gynecologist. It is worthwhile to understand these procedures in detail and find out what is better.

Mammography: what is it?

To begin with it is necessary to tell about the method of diagnostics. So, mammography - what is this procedure? This manipulation is one of the newest methods for diagnosing breast diseases in women.

Who needs this procedure?

If you suddenly find a tightness in your chest, then you need a mammogram. What kind of education is this? The procedure is recommended if there are indications in the reproductive age: problems with the hormonal background, pain and tightness in the chest, discharge from the mammary glands.

If there are no complaints, then this examination is done only after the onset of menopause. It is worth noting that after 40 years it is recommended to do a mammogram for every woman. If there were no problems, the repeated procedure will be carried out only after 1-2 years.

Mammography: Dates

If you have a mammogram, the days of the procedure should be strictly marked. The study is performed immediately after the end of menstrual bleeding. Approximately on 5-10 days after the onset of menstruation, the most suitable time for manipulation comes. It is during this period that the condition of the mammary glands is as relaxed as possible.

In the event that a woman has already had menopause or menopause, the day when it is possible to undergo a mammogram can be absolutely anything. With this outcome, an ultrasound examination of the breast can be performed.

During the study

So, when the mammogram is performed (on what day), you already know. It is also worth knowing how the survey is carried out.

A woman should strip the upper body. The lady is put in the right position, placing the breast between two plates. It is these elements that emit X-ray pulses, through which a photograph is taken.

As a result, the doctor receives a projection of the mammary gland in several planes. With the help of mammography, it is possible to detect various tumor processes and presume and quality.

Price survey category

Many patients ask the doctor: "How much does a mammogram cost?". The price of the procedure can vary greatly depending on the region in which the manipulation is carried out. In state institutions, a mammogram is provided free of charge. Thus it is necessary to have appropriate indications.

Most often a woman does ultrasound, according to the results of which the doctor prescribes this procedure. The mammogram is free of charge only in the direction. Thus there can be a preliminary record (turn) on inspection.

How much does mammography cost on average? The price category in private clinics is in the range of 3000 to 7000 rubles. Everything depends on the apparatus and qualification of the specialist who conducts the examination.

Ultrasound of the breast

This manipulation is more popular than mammography. In Moscow, for example, before the X-ray study is always assigned diagnostics by ultrasonic waves.

Ultrasound examination of the breast: a description

It is worth noting that the timing of the study is absolutely the same as for mammography. The plus of this procedure is that there is no irradiation of the body and breast. That is why during this pregnancy and breastfeeding this type of examination is prescribed.

Mammography or ultrasound: which is better?

This question can not be answered unambiguously, since there are advantages and disadvantages to both methods of research. There are several criteria for assessing the effectiveness of surveys.

Reliability

Speaking of the result, the mammogram is certainly better. During the ultrasound, neoplasms can be detected, but nothing can be said about the nature of the tumor. Also, when examining ultrasound, one can not see the pathology that exists in the milk ducts.

Mammography gives a clearer picture. By its results, one can even say whether a malignant or benign tumor has been detected. Also, the picture shows pathological processes in the ducts.

Effects on the body

If to judge the safety of the procedure, then the mammography is much inferior to the usual ultrasound. During ultrasonic examination, safe rays are used, which are sent to the organ and reflected from it later. This procedure can be carried out at any age and not be afraid of negative influence.

Mammography is a so-called x-ray study. During the procedure, impulses are sent to the mammary gland, which can slightly irradiate it. That is why the procedure is not recommended to conduct in the reproductive age without evidence.

Cost of examination

It is impossible not to say about the price category. In this issue, ultrasound is the best study, rather than a mammogram.

As already mentioned above, the cost of the procedure can be in the range from 3000 to 7000 rubles. To conduct an ultrasound examination in a private clinic costs almost 10 times cheaper. That is why it is much more profitable to examine the breast cavity through ultrasound.

Sensations during examination

It is worth mentioning separately about the sensations of a woman during manipulation. If, during an ultrasound examination, the patient is sitting on the couch and waits for the doctor to examine the necessary organ with a special sensor, then everything is different during the mammography.

The woman is forced to stand motionless for several minutes. Also during manipulation, two plates tightly compress the breast tissue. This is necessary to obtain a more detailed picture. Such manipulations can be somewhat painful. Especially if there is a tumor in the chest.

Examination of adjacent tissues

From this point of view, ultrasound scores a lot in mammography. During manipulation, the doctor can examine adjacent tissues and neighboring organs. It is also quite normal to assess the quality of blood flow when detecting tumor processes.

All this can not be done during a mammogram. As a result of the examination, you will receive only a picture of the breast in several planes and you will not know anything about the condition of the adjacent tissues and blood flow.

Time of examination

Mammography is a fairly quick procedure. On average, its duration does not exceed ten minutes. During the ultrasound examination of the mammary glands, the doctor takes much longer. First, you need to assess the size of the mammary glands and note the presence of cysts. After this, a detailed description of everything seen. The average time of such a survey is at least half an hour.

In the presence of pathology

If you have a tumor that requires constant monitoring, it is better to give preference to mammography. Only this examination can give in detail precise results of the condition of the neoplasm.

It is recommended to conduct such a procedure no more often than once every six months. In the case where a more frequent examination is necessary, an ultrasound examination of the breast is prescribed.

Summary of the results

Now you know how the mammography is done (what is it and what is needed, described in the article). Choose the most suitable method of examination, but do not forget to listen to the advice of a specialist.

All the results obtained should be provided to the doctor for evaluation and diagnosis. It should be noted that mammography is an accurate and reliable method of examination. However, in some cases after it a biopsy of the neoplasm is necessary. More often such procedure appoint or nominate then when there is a disputable situation in occasion of character of a tumor. In most cases, the mammogram can provide the specialist with all the necessary information for diagnosing and prescribing treatment.

Regularly inspect the mammary glands, especially if there is evidence for this. In this case, pathology can be detected at the earliest stages of its development.