MAMMOGRAPHY

Mammography is a type of imaging that uses low dose X-rays to study the human breast.
It is used as a diagnostic tool to identify breast cancers and cysts. It is undoubtedly the most important test for the diagnosis of breast cancer.
It has been proven that the risk of mortality from breast cancer is greatly reduced for those undergoing examination; thus, periodic breast examinations such as mammograms is recommended.
The breast is placed on a dedicated unit and is compressed by a plastic plate (compressor). The compression helps to even out the breast tissue so as to increase image quality, since by reducing the tissue thickness that needs to be penetrated by X-rays, decreases the amount of scattered radiation. This also suggests a decrease of the required dose of radiation and motion artifacts. Two projections are taken for each breast; the test takes a total of 10-15 minutes; no drugs are administered or contrast media used and no preparation is required before the examination.
Up to a few years ago, mammography scans were recorded on x-ray film. Now, the mammogram is recorded on a dedicated apparatus, the digital mammography device, which captures highly detailed images with a higher spatial resolution.