Mammography is a specific type of imaging that uses a low - dose x-ray system and high-contrast, high-resolution film for examination of the breasts. Successful treatment of breast cancer depends on early diagnosis. Mammography plays a central part in early detection of breast cancers. Mammography can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them.
Mammography is used to diagnose breast diseases in women. The use of screening mammography can assist in the detection of disease even if you have no complaints or symptoms.
Women aged 40 and older should get annual mammograms. Women who are at increased risk due to a genetic history of breast cancer, or who have had breast cancer, may need to get mammograms at an earlier age.
The initial two mammography images themselves are not always enough to determine the existence of a benign or malignant disease with certainty. If a suspicious finding or spot is seen, the radiologist may recommend further diagnostic studies. If a doubt exist on the diagnosis, this test can be combined with sonography (sono-mammography) or may be used to localise a lesion (tumour) by a special wire technique to enable a core biopsy.