The Importance of a Mammogram in Breast Cancer Detection
Many women in our modernised
world shun the importance of knowing more about breast cancer. They are guided
by the false misconception that they can never develop the deadly cancer simply
because it has never been detected in their families. A survey conducted by Her
Throne Africa revealed that 1 in every 10 women actually understands the
importance of going for a breast cancer test.
One of the easiest ways of eliminating
ones chances of developing breast cancer is through getting a mammogram.
Mammograms are a surefire way of eliminating the breast cancer pandemic that has
hovered across Southern Africa in a dark cloud. While mammograms are obviously
not the most pleasant, they are undoubtedly necessary for every woman in ensuring
good health, and safety that contribute to a peace of mind.
A mammography is an X-Ray photograph of the breasts that help in
detecting possible cancers or diseased growths that attack women. A mammography
workstation uses mammography, a specially designed x-ray image which displays
any changes and growths within the breast.
Mrs Sarah Marcus is the co-owner of
Proqual Imaging Diagnostis, a Namibia clinic that specialises mostly in
partaking mammograms. During her tenacious years of practising as a nurse, Mrs
Marcus went for a training workshop at a private clinic in Jo’ Burg and came
back empowered to impart her skills by making a difference in people’s lives.
“When I came back I just wanted to do
mammography. I didn’t get a lot of support and when a Mammography Women’s
Centre was opened in Mareau they sent me to lead the practise there,” said Mrs
Marcus who was voted as the vice chairperson of the Radiography Association of
Namibia last year.
The well reputable mammography imaging
company offers free mammogram testing to the underprivileged members of society
who cannot afford undertaking the important test.
“The breast is compressed in the x-ray machine and PACS viewer images
are taken of at least two different angles in order to get the best possible
view. There two different types of a mammography viewer. These would be the
screening mammograms and the diagnostic mammograms. Screening mammograms are
from side to side and top to bottom while diagnostic mammograms centralise the
images on a specific area. Both can be displayed using either a PACS web viewer
or PACS workstations,” she disclosed.
Mammograms are common
procedures that do not take very long to do. Patients are asked to disrobe and
put on the common medical gown, with an opening in the front. They then stand
up and face an x-ray machine, where a technologist places their breasts between
two plastic plates. The plates will then come together and compress. This is
the painful part but it is necessary in order to get a clear image to read. The
entire process generally takes between 10-15 minutes. The doctor then discusses
the results with the patient.
“Any woman can be at risk of
getting breast cancer and because the chances of that risk only grow higher as
the years go by, it is vital for every woman to get a mammogram done early on.
Many women have the wrong misconception that if no one in their families once
suffered from breast cancer then it automatically makes them unsusceptible.
That train of thinking can be dangerous. While having a family history of
breast cancer makes it easier to track who may get it later on in life, those
without any prior family history of breast cancer can develop it too,” said Mrs
Markus.
The test can accurately
dictate breast cancer in its earliest stages. If cancerous cells are found
early before they attack the lymph nodes, the chances for survival are between
78% and 97%. Those odds are much more favorable than finding the cancer later
on.
“If a lump is found as a
result of your mammogram, your doctor will feel the lump with their hand and
access the condition of the lump and the tissue surrounding it. An ultrasound
test may be needed to get an image of how large the lump is. Needle biopsy may
be performed in order to get fluid from the mass for further testing,” exuded
the mammogram expert.
“In addition to receiving a
mammogram, checking your breasts yourself at home is also another way to
practice early detection. Learn to be familiar with the way your breasts feel
and look in appearance. Do a self-breast exam often to feel for any lumps or
other unnatural occurrences. If you find anything out of the ordinary, make an appointment
with your doctor,” she recommended.
A
mammography workstation is easily a woman's best weapon against the deadly
breast cancer that has tethered throughout the country. The mammography viewer
shows health professionals of any changes, both big and small, in the breast
tissue at early stages when it is much more treatable. Lumps can be spotted
before they are even able to be felt in a manual breast exam. An annual breast
mammogram increases the rate of breast cancer survival. It is that important.