Mammography: from when and how often

In asymptomatic women, it is necessary to start mammography screening from the age of 40-45 years, while the maximum age for screening is still under debate (screening programs are limited to women under 80 years of age). The number of tests to be performed will vary according to the mammographic pattern obtained.

Although population-based screening programs check women every two years, it is recommended that women be screened annually. In some cases, in addition, more successive controls should be performed: after three, six or nine months.

Discomfort of mammography

According to specialists in General Surgery, the best time to perform a mammogram is after the beginning of the menstrual period (and no later than 15 days later), because during this period the breast is less painful since it is in hormonal rest.

In order for the mammogram to be correctly interpreted, it is necessary that the breast is adequately compressed during the mammogram. This usually generates a more or less bearable discomfort in most women, but sometimes it is advisable to do a little pre-study treatment to minimize the discomfort.

Risks of mammography

Periodic mammography has not been shown to cause any problems in the short or long term (apart from the discomfort of the moment). The technology currently used for performing mammograms radiates about 20 times less than the initial models. In fact, the risk-benefit balance of mammography is positive, since if this test were to produce any cancer in the women studied, for every one of them, at least 80 to 120 cancers would have been diagnosed early.

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This conclusion is drawn from follow-ups over periods of more than 20 years of women studied annually with mammography.

Reliability of mammography

Of every 100 cancers, it is possible that up to 10 may be undetectable by mammography (mainly lobular carcinomas). Even so, if the mammographic study is negative, the probability of undetected cancer is rare.

In case of diagnostic doubt, a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging should be performed.

Breast self-examination

It is advisable to explore the breast shortly after the onset of menstruation, since this is the time when it is in hormonal rest. It is best to self-explore the breasts lying down and standing up, without forgetting to explore the tail of the breast and the armpit (without having the arm completely stretched out).