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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 Estonia 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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Estonia is a country situated on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. Tourism in this country is often overlooked, but those who have visited agree that the country is filled with historical wonders and hidden attractions. Today, Estonia has become a popular medical tourism destination, with a growing number of people coming from Sweden, Finland, Norway, and the UK. Foreign patients usually come for orthopedic, weight loss, or plastic surgery. What attracts medical tourists to have their treatment in Estonia is the country’s affordable and high-quality healthcare. With skilled surgeons, excellent medical centers, and incredible vacation opportunities, it is easy to see why Estonia is becoming more and more popular. Many of the board-certified surgeons in the country continue their training abroad and the private hospitals are armed with advanced technology.
The capital of Estonia is Tallinn and it charms visitors with its lively yet peaceful vibe, UNESCO-listed Old Town, photogenic sights, ancient churches, and medieval streetscapes. The city is perfect for those looking for some relaxation and pampering as it has a number of Day Spas. In addition, Tallinn is filled with delightful food and vibrant modern culture, making it the perfect place to visit. Besides Tallinn, another popular place to visit is Tartu, which is the second-largest city in the country. As a premier university town, this city is the place where Estonian doctors and surgeons study medicine. Tartu is a very historic city and also has a vibrant nightlife.
Tallinn International Airport is the largest airport in Estonia that serves flights to and from major cities in Europe and the Middle East, such as London, Copenhagen, and Dubai. Getting around Estonia can be done by bus or train. While the rail network is limited and affordable, buses are fast and efficient. Big cities in the country have an efficient public transportation system and taxis are widely available. It is also worth pointing out that the whole country is bicycle-friendly.
Since Estonia is a member state of the Schengen Area, holders of passports from 62 countries, including the US, the UAE, Japan, and Australia can enter without a visa for up to 90 days. Other countries not listed in the visa waiver agreement need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter.
The summer months of June to August have the highest temperatures, with sunny and long daylight days. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) is a great time to visit the country as the weather is very pleasant. Winter, from November to February, can be freezing as the temperatures plummet and the snow starts to fall. The weather in this country is very changeable.