A mammogram or mammography is non-invasive diagnostic imaging. It’s an X-ray of the breast. In the early diagnosis of breast cancer, with monthly breast self-examinations and regular clinical exams, mammography tends to be a key element. To detect breast cancer or other irregularities in the breast, mammography is used as a screening tool.
Why is Mammography done?
When mammography is advised by a doctor as a routine test to check for any changes or breast cancer, this type of mammography, is known as a screening mammogram, where we get several X-ray images of our breast taken by a mammography machine.
• A mammogram may also be done as a diagnostic test for those who have any signs or symptoms of breast cancer, such as:
• A breast lump or lump in the armpit (axillary mass)
• Thickening or swelling of a breast or part of a breast
• Dimpling of the breast skin
• A change in the size or shape of the breast
• A sense of heaviness in one breast
• Nipple retraction (pulling in of a nipple)
• Nipple discharge
• Breast pain
• Redness, scaling, a rash, or irritation of the breast or nipples
• Itchy breasts