Breast Cancer Screening Tests

Are Breast Cancer Screening Exams Important? First, we would like to point out that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (GCO) will register a total of more than two million new cases of breast cancer worldwide in 2018.

In the same year, the GCO recorded more than 600,000 deaths from breast cancer. According to this information, breast cancer ranks second and sixth among new cancers.

The good news, however, is that there are numerous screening trials in use and they play an important role in the prognosis of this disease. They are usually designed to detect tumors at an early stage so that they pose the least possible risk to human health.

Breast cancer screening tests

Data published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer show that breast cancer screening tests are intended primarily for women with a family history of the disease or other significant risk factors. Keep reading to learn more about the most common ones.

Mammography

Such diagnostic imaging uses X-rays to detect cancer-causing changes in breast tissue. Women use this test as an early detection tool for the ailments that are typical of malignant cancer.

Most doctors recommend that all women undergo their first mammography at the age of 30-35 and then continue their annual mammography after the age of 45. However, most women think the procedure caused by mammography is quite uncomfortable.

However, it is good to keep in mind that mammography only lasts for a few minutes and the uncomfortable feeling is only momentary. This is a small price to pay for early detection of a cancer-like illness. 

Sonomammography

With this diagnostic imaging, changes in breast tissue are visualized using ultrasound. It is a very useful way to observe obvious bumps that a doctor cannot see with mammography.

This method is widely used to instruct the physician when taking specimens. The doctor takes biopsies from the problem area to get the cells and to find out if the patient has cancer. Sonomammography is completely painless and only takes a few minutes to do.

Breast test

First, it is important to understand that taking a biopsy from the breast consists of a number of different procedures designed to remove tissue from the breast. The doctor will then  send the removed tissue for additional tests to detect the cancer.

The specimen is taken from the breast using either a needle or surgery. During the needle sample, the doctor uses a hollow needle to remove pieces of tissue from the suspected cancer area. In surgery, the doctor removes some or all of the suspected tissue sites from the problem area.

Magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging uses powerful magnets and radio waves to obtain an extremely detailed image of the breast tissue. It can take pictures from many angles as well as soft tissues, which can sometimes be difficult to see when using other imaging tools.

It is a perfect tool for mammography and sonomammography, and is used to observe tissue in more detail in cases that require it. This is due to its high cost and the increased risk of false positives. Magnetic resonance imaging is completely painless and does not allow radiation to enter the body.

Keep these things in mind when it comes to breast cancer and screening tests

There are several studies that can detect breast cancer at an early stage and in a timely manner. Mammography is the most widely used procedure today and, as we said earlier, uses X-rays to detect changes in breast tissue. Mammography should therefore be performed annually after the age of 45.