Mammography is a modern method of examining the tissue structures of the mammary glands. Its purpose is to identify various kinds of pathological changes in the breast, such as benign and malignant neoplasms, cysts and calcifications. Thus, mammography is a universal procedure that allows timely diagnosis of various diseases of the mammary glands.
Mammography has been particularly developed abroad. The world's leading clinics practice only the latest high-tech mammography techniques. Regular mammography in foreign clinics will help protect your own health from neglected cases of a particular disease.
Types of mammography
Mammography abroad is performed using all the latest achievements of modern medicine. This allows us to develop different types of mammography, each of which has its own specifics.:
- X-ray mammography. The most common type of mammography. A breast scan is performed using X-rays passing through the breast tissue.;
- MRI mammography. A safer method uses magnetic fields instead of X-rays. The method allows you to get high-precision layered images, but its price is slightly higher.;
- computed tomography (CT) of the mammary glands. As a rule, the method is used as an additional and clarifying diagnosis. As with radiography, CT uses X-rays, but the images are performed in layers, as with MRI. The resulting images are processed by a computer program and projected onto a monitor in the form of a slice of the breast in the desired projection.;
- Ultrasound of the mammary glands. The image of the internal structures of the breast is obtained using ultrasound waves. The method is especially good for detecting cysts and tumors. The main advantage of the method is that ultrasound waves are absolutely safe for the patient's body.
Mammography and oncology
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women of reproductive age. Mammography provides an opportunity for timely and accurate diagnosis of the disease, thereby ensuring the effectiveness of treatment.
It is worth signing up for a mammogram even if there are no symptoms of cancer. The fact is that in the early stages, the disease may not manifest at all, and preventive mammography can literally save lives.
There are two types of mammography aimed at detecting breast cancer:
- Screening mammography is a preventive procedure performed to identify hidden forms of the disease with missing symptoms.;
- Diagnostic mammography is performed for unusual neoplasms found in the gland, as well as if the results of screening mammography show that additional information is needed on the patient's health status.
The cost of mammography
Given the variety of functions of mammography and its high technology, the question is natural – how much does mammography cost? In this context, the undoubted advantage of the procedure is the affordable price of mammography. In the best foreign clinics, the cost of a mammographic examination is in the range of $ 150-250.
