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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 Ireland 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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Ireland, also known as the Republic of Ireland, is a country located in north-western Europe that occupies 26 of 32 counties on the island of Ireland. The country’s breath-taking landscape, wonderful people, and fascinating history have made it an unforgettable destination for many visitors. Aside from its beauty, more and more people also come to Ireland for high-quality healthcare. The country is a newcomer to the medical tourism market. However, it’s seen as an increasingly attractive destination due to the reasonably priced and high standard of clinical care available in the country. Most foreign patients come for cosmetic surgery and dental treatments, but many hospitals and clinics in the country offer a wide variety of services, such as cardiology, pathology, pulmonary, and gynecology. Also, the Joint Commission International has accredited several hospitals in the country, most of which are located in Dublin.
Ireland’s capital and largest city, Dublin, is the most popular tourist destination within the country. In fact, it’s the fourth most visited European capital. It’s filled with excellent pubs serving the perfect pint of Guinness, amazing Georgian architecture, and layers of fascinating history. Tourists in this city usually visit the Guinness Storehouse Factory, tour the Old Jameson Distillery, admire the Spire of Dublin, explore Dublin Castle, and marvel at the beauty of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Another famous city is Cork, which is the second-largest city in the country. It’s a youthful cosmopolitan city packed with artisan coffee bars and snug pubs. Tourists usually come to kiss the Blarney Stone for good luck, enjoy the coastal landscape in Mizen Head, or hike around Gougane Barra. Other popular cities and towns include Galway, Killarney, Kilkenny, and Letterkenny.
The main airport in Ireland is Dublin Airport. It connects the country with numerous cities around the world, including New York, Abu Dhabi, and Hong Kong. Trains and buses are available to travel around the country. However, public transportation is generally sparse in rural areas. Therefore, renting a car is the best mode of transport. Taxis and Uber are available to travel inside major cities.
Ireland has opted out of the Schengen Area. The country allows all EU citizens, as well as citizens of 56 other countries (such as the UAE and the US), to stay without a visa for up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are required to apply for a visa in advance.
Summer (June – September) provides plenty of sunshine and lower levels of rainfall, with an average temperature of 14°C - 16°C. Winter (October – February) is chilly, with ample rainfall and some snow. Spring and autumn are generally pleasant, with warmer temperatures and more sunshine.