Screening programs are of great importance in breast cancer, which is a completely curable disease with early diagnosis. Giving information to women who will have mammography for the first time, Assoc. Prof. Hakan Bölükbaşı said, “Mammography takes only a few minutes and there may be a very slight pain. Powder, deodorant and cream should not be applied to the breast and armpit area on the way to mammography. Caffeinated food consumption should be stopped 1-2 weeks before mammography.”
Mammography, which is widely used in the screening and diagnosis of breast diseases, is a radiological imaging system using low dose X-rays. According to the American Cancer Institute and the World Health Organization, it is recommended that women from the age of 40 should have a mammogram once a year for early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Medicana Bahçelievler Hospital General Surgery Specialist Assoc. Dr. Hakan Bölükbaşı said, “Mammography is not performed under the age of 40 unless there is a special reason. The reason for this is that young women cannot get enough information due to the dense breast tissue.”
Cosmetic products can affect the accuracy of mammography
Providing information for women preparing for mammography for the first time, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bölükbaşı said the following: “There is no need for any preliminary preparation for mammography. It is recommended not to use cosmetic products such as powder, deodorant or cream in the breast area and under the armpits when going for a mammogram. These substances can cause suspicious images on the mammography film and cause diagnostic errors.”
A two-piece outfit should be worn
“Since it will be naked from the waist up during mammography, it will be more appropriate to wear two pieces of clothing while coming to the shooting,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Bölükbaşı and gave the following information about the shooting process: “During mammography, the breast is gently compressed between two plates for a few seconds. For this reason, it will be more appropriate to take mammography in premenopausal women during the period when the breast is least sensitive. The first week after the end of menstruation is the best time for the procedure.”
Emphasizing that caffeine-containing foods such as coffee, chocolate and cola can increase breast sensitivity in some women, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bölükbaşı suggested, “It is useful to avoid caffeinated foods 1-2 weeks before the shooting.”
Women with silicone implants can also have mammography
“Mammography is also the screening method in cases with breast prosthesis. The mammography examination to be performed by experienced people will not harm the silicone,” said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bölükbaşı and added, ”The presence of breast prosthesis must be stated before the scan. In people with breast prosthesis, normal breast tissue and prosthesis should be checked with ultrasonography.”
The mammography procedure takes a few minutes and the pain is very mild
Stating that the mammography procedure can be defined as 'X-ray of the breast', Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Bölükbaşı said, “Mammography, which allows visualization of breast tissue using low-dose X-rays, is taken in just a few minutes. It is done by compressing the breast between two plates. Compression is very important. Thus, the breast tissue does not move, less radiation is given to the breast and a better image is obtained. The pain felt during mammography is quite mild and easily tolerable. In fact, what is felt is not pain but pressure.”
İHA Haber Kodu: 20241010AW305250