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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 Georgia 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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Georgia is located in the Caucasus region of Eurasia and it is the most visited country in South Caucasus. From its green valleys and vineyards to its old watchtowers and old churches, this country will never disappoint. Over the last 5 years, Georgia has been visited by an increasing number of medical tourists. These foreign patients, mostly come from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and Russia, are attracted to Georgia’s high-quality and affordable medical care, as well as the medical center’s first-class services. Most of these patients come for dental treatments, cosmetic surgery, oncology, radiology, liver and kidney transplantation, bone marrow transplantation, orthopedics, infertility treatment, and bariatric surgery.
Georgia’s vibrant capital, Tbilisi, offers picturesque Old Town, outstanding architecture, dramatic valley setting, and terrific cuisine. Home to 30% of the country’s population, this city is lively and filled with hipster culture and techno scene. One of the most famous monuments in the city is Kartlis Deda, which is a 20-meter tall aluminum symbol of Tbilisi. Another popular city is Batumi, which is the country’s most charming seaside destination. Its synthesis of the mountain and the sea is truly unique and interesting. The most popular attractions in this city, besides its beach, are Batumi Boulevard, Batumi Botanical Garden, Medea Monument, Ortajame Mosque, and Batumi Archeological Museum.
International tourists will arrive in Tbilisi International Airport. It serves flights to and from several cities in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. There are numerous budget airlines that operate flights from this airport, including IndiGo, Ryanair, and AirAsia X. To travel around the country, domestic flights, buses, and trains are available. To get around major cities, several public transportation options are available. The most common way to get around is by local minibus and buses. Taxis are widely available, but make sure to agree on the fare before getting on.
Georgia allows citizens of 98 countries, including all European Union countries, the US, Japan, and Australia, to stay for a year. Holders of passports issued by 66 countries, such as Bolivia and Egypt, are eligible to apply for e-Visa. The e-Visa is valid for 90 days per 180-day period and 30 days per 120-day period. Citizens of other countries, such as Sudan and Morocco, need to apply for a visa in advance.
Winter in Georgia is usually very cold, with temperatures ranging from 2°C to 6°C, and sometimes dropping below 0°C at night. Summer, from June to August, is pleasantly warm with average temperatures of 20°C to 30°C. However, some coastal areas are humid during this season. Spring and Autumn are delightful as the weather is not too hot, nor too cold. Both of these seasons see frequent rainfalls.