No clinics available
At Medijump, we're making medical easy. You can search, compare, discuss, and book your medical all in one place. We open the door to the best medical providers worldwide, saving you time and energy along the way, and it's all for FREE, no hidden fees, and no price markups guaranteed. So what are you waiting for?
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 Guatemala 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
Enquire Now
Guatemala is a country in Central America and its territory was once the core of the Maya Civilization. There are numerous historical sites to explore in this country, from Tikal National Park where visitors can learn more about the Maya to the colonial city of Antigua, which is one of the many footprints the Spanish left behind. However, there are other charms as well, such as the many amazing volcanoes, lakes, jungles, and inexpensive food markets. Besides its natural beauty and ancient ruins, Guatemala is also popular among international tourists for its medical tourism. Foreign patients who are looking for a more cost-effective solution for their medical requirements choose Guatemala because the country offers the finest quality healthcare at reasonable rates. On average, medical procedures in this country are 50 to 75% less expensive than in the US. Furthermore, the standard and quality of the hospitals and clinics in this country are on par with those in the USA.
The most popular city in Guatemala is Antigua, which was the capital of Guatemala. Located in the central highlands of the country, between three volcanoes, this city is mainly known for its preserved Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture. From its churches, houses, ruins, parks, to its cobbled streets, the city will never cease to captivate visitors. Visit the Plaza Mayor (central square) to admire its awesome palaces, cathedral, and gardens. While most travelers used to skip Guatemala City, the capital of the country, more and more travelers are coming to the city as it reinvents itself as a safe and interesting destination to visit. Another popular city is Panajachel, which is the gateway to the striking Lago de Atitlán.
The primary airport in Guatemala is La Aurora International Airport, which operates international flights to and from several cities in North and Central America, such as Los Angeles, New York, Mexico City, and San Salvador. Low-cost airlines, including JetBlue and Volaris, serve flights from this airport. The most common way to travel around the country is by pull man (first-class buses+, rental cars, and “chicken bus” (second-class buses). To travel inside cities and towns, taxis and three-wheeled Thai tuk-tuks are widely available.
Holders of passports of 86 countries, including all EU countries, the US, and the UK, are allowed to visit Guatemala for up to 90 days. Other nationals, including China and Nepal, need to apply for a visa to be able to visit the country.
Guatemala has two seasons. The rainy season stretches from May through October, with the majority of rain falling between September and October. The dry season extends from November to April, characterized by clear, blue skies. Note that coastal areas can be very humid.