Mammography is an X-ray examination of the breasts.
The breast is sandwiched between the compression boards, and the mammary glands, fat, and blood vessels of the entire breast are displayed.
Mammography is an effective method for diagnosing early-stage breast cancer that is difficult to be detected by visual palpation or ultrasound examination.
What is breast cancer?
One in 11 Japanese women will be affected by breast cancer in their lifetime.
About ≥90% breast cancer cases are cured, if detected early.
In Japan, the incidences of breast cancer as well as the mortality rates are increasing every year.
In 2016, 14,015 individuals died due to breast cancer.
Presently, one in 11 individual is expected to have breast cancer in their lifetime, and the Japanese women are mostly affected by this cancer.
Th incidence of breast cancer starts to increase in the 30s and peaks in the late 40s and early 60s.
Breast cancer can be cured, if detected at an early stage.
Early-stage breast cancer is ≤2 cm in size, and if detected at this point, >90% of the cases are cured. Men also have breast cancer. Male breast cancer is a rare that accounts for less than one-hundredth of female breast cancers in the annual deaths.
In Europe and the United States, early detection has increased due to an increase in the medical examination rate, and the mortality rate has decreased. On the other hand, the medical examination rate in Japan is the lowest in the world; therefore, the mortality rate is increasing each year.
For early detection
- We recommend a self-check once a month from the 20s.
- If you reach the age of 40 years, breast cancer screening is recommended every 2 years according to the guideline of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
Importance of self-palpation
Breast cancer is one of the few cancers that you can detect by yourself.
Make a habit of self-palpation once a month for early detection.
Early detection is the most effective way to protect yourself from breast cancer.
When
Within a week after menstruation when the breast is soft.
For postmenopausal women, do it once a month deciding the date.
Where
In rooms with mirrors, for example, when taking a bath. It is easier to find lumps if you slide your hands with soap or cream.
You may want to do this when you lie on your back before sleeping.
Method for checking
1.Check the breasts and nipples for any abnormalities.
- Is there any difference between the left and right breasts?
- Do you have a dimpling sign or dent on your skin?
- Are your nipples recently dented or sored?
2.Do the same with your arms up.
3.Touch the breast and armpit to check if there is a lump.
- Use the hand opposite the breast you are touching.
- Do it with all four fingers except the thumb.
- Apply a cream on the skin.
4.Check if there is any abnormal secretion from the nipple.
At first, you might wonder if you are touching the mammary gland or a lump. Take a mammography examination to check if there are any abnormalities. Based on your current breast condition, regularly check if no abnormality is present.
Best time for examination
If you have any symptoms such as lumps, please come and visit us immediately.
When you visit our hospital for examination, you should come to us 4–7 days after your menstruation, when the breasts are soft and are neither stiff nor painful.
Note
- When you take a mammography examination, a radiographer will touch your armpit to sandwich your pectoralis major muscle.
- Do not use antiperspirants or powders on the day of the examination because they may appear in photographs.
- If you are pregnant or have severe pain due to inflammation, you may not be able to take the examination.
Examination time
It takes about 5 min for taking the X-ray, although you need 15 min from changing into the examination clothes to the completion of the entire process.
It takes about 20 min if you need to take an additional X-ray photo.