Mammogram in Thanjavur

What is a Mammogram?

The process of Breast X-ray is known as Mammogram. As a matter of fact, breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer for women. Certainly, the introduction of Mammogram has played a key role in reducing the concerns of medical experts in this regard. This is one specific kind of X-ray process rather than the usual kind of X-ray. Merely, this is one of the most effective screening tools which is mainly considered as one of the best ways to detect early breast cancers.

Basically, Mammogram will help the experts get the X-ray images of your breast. The used X-ray will be capturing black and white images of the breast, the images will later be viewed and examined by medical experts to diagnose the exact occurring issue.

Why is it done?

As mentioned before, the basic purpose of running a Mammogram is to detect the chances of breast cancer. This is certainly one of the most widely used procedures all over the globe to determine the presence of breast cancer and it has already been beneficial to hundreds of women who had been carrying a risk of breast cancer. In case any woman is having any symptoms of breast cancer, the woman is suggested by medical experts to go for a Mammogram as soon as possible because breast cancer can be appropriately diagnosed only through a Mammogram. The two basic purposes of performing it are,

How is it done?

There remains an X-ray machine that is specifically designed for Mammography. Once the body of the patient is adjusted at the exact position after standing in front of the X-ray machine, the breast of the patient is examined by pressing it on a platform made of a clear plastic plate. Soon after that, the X-ray machine will be starting to take necessary pictures, which will be examined by the medical experts. No need to worry because the medical experts will be helping you to stay adjusted properly when the entire process is going on to avoid distorted images that are caused because of unexpected movement of the patient.

Types of Mammogram

As a matter of fact, it is considered that there are two specific types of Mammograms and it has been categorized as per the need of it.

• Screening Mammography: Detection of breast changes in women who previously had no signs and symptoms of breast cancer is possible through a Mammography.
• Diagnosing Mammography: The wide use of Mammography can be noticed in case of suspicious breast changes such as breast pain, unusual appearance of skin, nipple thickening or discharge etc. Additional mammogram images can be required in such cases.

What are the risks of Mammogram?

There are certain risks of mammograms that all of us should know about. As a matter of fact, even medical experts will alert you about some of these risks before you appear for a Mammogram. Some of the major risk factors that are involved in Mammogram are mentioned below for you.

• There are certain risks that may occur because of the radiation that is used in Mammogram. For example, it may expose any woman who is appearing for it to low dose radiation.
• The breasts of younger women are known for containing more ligaments and glands, so mammograms can be a bit difficult to interpret in case of younger women.
• Most of all, Mammograms are not always 100 percent accurate. It depends on the skills and experience of the radiologists who will be running and supervising the entire procedure.
• There are certain kinds of cancers that can not be detected through a Mammogram and this is one of the most mentionable risk factors of Mammogram.
• Not all those tumors that can be detected through a mammogram can be cured because there are some kinds of cancers that are very aggressive.
• A mammogram can make you go for many other tests too.

How do you prepare for Mammogram?

Just like all the other scanning processes, you need to take certain preparations before a Mammogram test also. Some of the most mentionable preparations that you must take before a Mammogram test are mentioned below for you.

• Only avail Mammogram test facilities if that is certified by Food and Drug administration.
• Fix a timing when your breasts are least likely to be tender, which happens generally in the week after one menstrual period.
• Never make a regrettable decision of using deodorant or powders before mammogram as those could be visible in the Mammogram report and cause a bit of distortion.
• Taking over-the-pain medication can be good before a Mammogram as sometimes it can effectively reduce the chances of discomfort during the test.

Apart from all these, make sure you have informed the radiologists if you are currently breastfeeding or if you are pregnant.

What happens after a Mammogram?

After having a look at all the captured images, the radiologists will make sure that everything is alright and then the images will be examined by them. However, after the test process is over, you can just get back to your daily life. However, the medical experts will also let you know what to do next if required.

What can you expect during and after a Mammogram?

• During the test: You will be asked to stand in front of the X-ray machine, which is specially designed for performing mammograms. Your breasts will be placed on one clear plastic plate and they will be pressed against the platform for the purpose of spreading the breast tissue. The pressure is actually made to hold your breasts still and decrease the chances of image blurring because of movements. You just need to stand still and hold your breath while the X-ray process is going on.
• After the test: Once everything is done, the technicians will be asking you to wait when the images are being properly examined by the medical experts. Generally it takes even less than 30 minutes, so you don’t need to wait longer. Once done, you may just go back to your daily life.

What do the results mean?

Firstly, the radiologists sharply look for the evidence of cancer or any such other critical conditions that may lead to further treatment. However, the radiologist will be telling you if any suspicious thing or the presence or chances of any critical medical condition is seen. The possible findings in the images captured through Mammogram generally include,

• Masses or lumps
• Calcification in ducts
• Reappearing dense area after your previous Mammogram
• Asymmetric areas on Mammogram

Dense areas can indicate the presence of cancer, cell secretions can be the reason for Calcification. However, everything will be explained to you in brief by the experts. If you find the radiologist marking specific areas on your Mammogram report, then further testing may be required including another Mammogram.

Cost of Mammogram in Thanjavur

Fortunately, you can easily book a Mammogram test in Thanjavur because there are multiple Mammogram test centres in Thanjavur. So you don’t need to worry about its availability. The Mammogram test cost in Thanjavur may vary depending on the type of mammogram testing you opt for. Generally, Mammogram test costs in Thanjavur start from rupees 2000 only.