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Mammography is an X-ray for the breast. It is used to detect and diagnose breast cancer and other breast diseases. The images that mammography produces is called mammograms. The images can show tiny tumors that cannot be felt, as well as other abnormalities in the breast.
Mammography can be used for screening and diagnostic purposes:
Screening mammography looks for breast cancer, benign tumors, cysts, or other breast diseases in women with no symptoms. The goal of the procedure is to detect the disease early, when it may be more treatable.
Diagnostic mammography is usually done for women who have symptoms of breast cancer or who have a high risk of developing the disease. It may be recommended if you feel a lump in the breast, you experience other unfamiliar symptoms, or a screening mammogram shows a suspicious area.
During mammography, you will either stand or sit in front of the mammography machine. Your breast is placed on a flat support plate. Then, a compressor will push the breast down to flatten it. Flattening your breast is done to spread out the tissue, which can provide clearer pictures and make it easier to find smaller abnormalities.
Once your breast is flattened, your doctor or technician will take an X-ray image. You may have to hold your breath to reduce the possibility of a blurred image while the X-ray image is taken. Your doctor may also ask you to change positions for each picture. You may feel a little discomfort or pressure, but it is usually brief.
When X-ray images are taken, a small burst of x-rays passes through your breast to a detector that is located on the opposite side. This detector is usually a photographic film plate that can capture the X-ray image on film. However, today, many breast imaging centers have moved from using film plates to digital mammography. Here are the newest advances in mammography:
Digital mammography – digital mammography records the images on a computer instead of on film. A solid-state detector is used to transform the X-ray into a digital image that saves onto a computer. The computer can help your doctor see images that might not have been very visible on a regular mammogram because the image contrast is sharper. Digital mimeographs are also easier to store and share with other medical professionals.
3D Breast Imaging – this is called breast tomosynthesis. For this test, the breast is positioned and flattened just like a traditional mammogram. However, a tomosynthesis uses an X-ray tube that moves in an arc and takes pictures of your breast from many angles. Several studies have shown that this test, results in improved breast cancer detection rates, but it is not yet widely available.
Once the test is complete and all the necessary images have been taken, a radiologist will carefully examine the mammogram.
You can leave the hospital immediately after your mammography is complete. However, since it may take at least a week until the result is complete, it is advisable that you stay in Bahamas for at least 7 days. Once the result is ready, you need to attend a follow-up appointment to discuss the result with your doctor. In some cases, it may take several weeks until the results are ready. If this is the case, talk to your doctor/medical travel team about the exact length of stay, and the results can be mailed/sent to you.
You can resume your normal activities, including work, right after your mammogram. Some women experience minor bruising, but most women do not feel any lingering pain at all once the pain is over.
If you experience soreness, minor bruising, or discomfort, you should wear a padded sports bra as it can help you feel more comfortable then wearing a bra with underwire.
Although visible bruising on your breast or soreness a full day after your mammogram takes place is not cause for alarm, you should let your doctor know.
Mammograms are considered as one of the best breast cancer screening tests currently available. However, they have their limits as they are not 100% accurate in showing if a woman has breast cancer. There is always a possibility of:
A false-positive – the mammogram looks abnormal even though there is actually no cancer cells present in the breast.
A false-negative – the mammogram looks normal even though there is breast cancer.
Besides accuracy, the procedure itself is very safe. It should not cause alarming or long-term side effects as the amount of radiation used is minimal.
If you cannot or do not want to undergo mammography, you can consider the alternatives. These include ultrasound, MRI, and molecular breast imaging (MBI). However, mammograms are still considered as the best screening test for breast cancer since none of the alternatives has been proven to be as good.
After mammography, your doctor can check the condition of your breast, whether or not you experience any symptoms before. If the results show any abnormalities (positive), your doctor may suggest you undergo a breast biopsy and they will be able to create a treatment plan.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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The Bahamas is an archipelago and country on the northwestern edge of the West Indies. Having more than 700 beautiful, palm-fringed islands, this country is known for its stunning beaches, coral reefs, crystal clear waters, a myriad of bird species, and historic towns. With everything that it has to offer, it is easy to see why the Bahamas welcomes millions of visitors each year. Besides honeymooners, divers, and beach-goers, the Bahamas is also popular among medical tourists thanks to its exceptionally high-quality services. The country’s booming medical tourism industry is driven by its highly-skilled medical professionals and state-of-the-art equipment, combined with cost-effective medical care and the opportunity to recuperate in beautiful surroundings. Cosmetic and plastic surgeries, total knee replacements, and cardiac surgeries are some of the most popular procedures in the Bahamas.
Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, is one of the chief pleasure resorts in the world. Known as the Bahamas’ crown jewel, it boasts a vibrant culture, breathtaking natural landscape, and rich history. Its signature attraction is the beaches, and the most popular is Cable Beach. With striking white sands and blue waters, this peaceful and beautiful beach is the perfect place to relax and sunbathe. Freeport is also a famous destination in the Bahamas. With its diving sites and world-class restaurants, there are many things to see and do in this city. The main draw of Freeport is its beaches. Some of the most popular are Taino and Fortune Beach.
The Bahamas experiences a tropical climate and the average temperatures will stay the same all year round, between 24°C - 29°C. There are generally two seasons in the country: dry and wet. The dry season, from November to June, is mostly sunny and pleasant. However, it tends to be very crowded during this season, especially from mid-December to mid-April. The wet season spans from July to November. This season sees an increase in rainfall, but there are still many sunny days. The Bahamas also has a hurricane season, which lasts from June to November.
The largest international gateway to the Bahamas is Lynden Pindling International Airport, which is located near the capital city of Nassau, in western New Providence Island. It serves flights to numerous major cities in the Americas and Europe, including New York, Atlanta, and London. The easiest and quickest way to get around is by plane, especially to travel from one island to another. In Nassau and Freeport, the main transport option is the jitneys (private minibusses). In Out Islands, no public transport is available. The best way to get around inside the islands is by taxis or rental cars. However, taxis are often quicker and easier than driving on your own. Ferries and water taxis are all available.
Citizens of 120 countries, including all EU countries, Australia, Canada, China, the US, and the UK, can visit and stay in the Bahamas for up to 3 months without a visa unless stated otherwise. Nationals not listed in the visa-exempt agreement need to obtain a visa to be able to visit the Bahamas.