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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 Dominican Republic 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 Dominican Republic can be found on the island of Hispaniola and is a part of the island group, the Great Antilles. The nation has diverse natural environments and land features. Characterized by rugged mountains on one side and the other side consist of low lying valleys and coastal plains. It is the world’s leading producer of professional baseball players. It is also home to the highest mountain, Pico Duarte, and the largest lake, Lago Enriquillo in the Caribbean Region.
In recent times, the Dominican Republic has become popular with medical tourists. Tourists, particularly from the United States, visit the country for Plastic and Reconstructive surgeries, especially for Breast Augmentation procedure. About 25,000 to 30,000 patients visit the Dominican Republic yearly for various medical treatments. The most sought-after services are general, Plastic and cosmetic surgeries, dental procedures, weight-loss, oncology, and orthopedic treatments.
Most medical service providers are situated around the capital city Santa Domingo and Santiago. The medical establishments offer competitive healthcare services with highly-qualified and internationally-trained surgeons. The following clinics can be found in Santa Domingo: Dr. Rafael E. Estevez - Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeon, Dr. Gustavo Almanzar Plastic Surgery Clinic, Alba Reyes Skin, and Hair Transplant Institute and Dr. Ivan Strachan Bariatric Clinic.
The Dominican Republic is an unmatched destination with amazing natural sceneries, intriguing history, and diverse culture. It offers ecotourism adventures in splendid national parks, mountain ranges, beaches, and rivers.
Top attractions of the Dominican Republic:
Jarabacoa, Sosua, La Romana, Las Aguilas, and Puerto Plata & Playa Dorada are several other popular tourist spots in the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic has a tropical weather climate, and constant temperature throughout the year, with average yearly temperature, is around 77°F.
The hottest and humid period is from May to October. The mild winter season is from December to March. The period between November and April are the moderate seasons.
Rainfall is seasonal. The eastern and southern coasts experience rains between April and October. The northern coast receives rains throughout the year due to the influence of the north-eastern trade winds. The southern region is prone to hurricanes, with most striking in the months of August and September.
The Dominican Republic offers easy access to the rest of the world with a myriad of flight options from North America and Europe. The main ports of entry into the country by air are the international airports in Santa Domingo, Punta Cana, and Puerto Plata. Santiago and Samana airports are other points of entry.
There are many flights from major cities of Canada and the US. The most frequent flights are from New York, Miami, Toronto, and Montreal. JetBlue, the budget airlines, operates flights from North America to Santo Domingo, Santiago, and Puerto Plata.
The Dominican Republic has a well-developed inter-country transport infrastructure with a large network of roads. It has many types of public transportation for moving around within cities such as buses, the metro, carro publicos, guaguas, and the motoconchos.
Carro Publicos are small car-public taxis and have a specific route displayed on their roof. Guaguas are privately-owned minivans and pick up travelers from any point and drop them off close to their desired location. Motoconchos are private motorcycle taxis that have reasonable fares and are ideal for short journeys.
Citizens of countries such as the UK, USA, and Canada, and Schengen countries are not required to have a tourist visa to enter the Dominican Republic, under a bilateral agreement between the countries. However, they do need to:
Nationals of countries like India, Sri Lanka, China, and Russia need to get a tourist visa to travel to the Dominican Republic. The visas are multiple-entry type and are valid for 60 days.