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Mammography is an X-ray examination that uses low-dose radiation to examine breast tissue. The purpose of mammography, used for diagnosing breast cancer, is to detect cancer at an early stage.
Mammography is performed when a doctor examines the patient or when the patient notices a lump in the breast during self-examination. Mammography helps determine whether the lump is cancerous or a benign tumor.
Mammography is not a painful procedure. No medication or injections are administered during the process. Aside from a feeling of compression in the breasts during the imaging, no pain is felt.
A mammography session lasts about 10-20 minutes, but it can sometimes take longer. If you have breast implants, the imaging may take longer.
Before undergoing mammography, you should take a shower and avoid using cosmetics such as perfume, deodorant, or powder. You need to remove all clothing, including your bra, before the procedure. The mammography results should be evaluated by an experienced radiology specialist. If you have had previous mammograms, you should bring those with you.
If there is a history of breast cancer in your family, it is recommended to have your first mammogram at age 35 and repeat it annually. If there is no family history of breast cancer, you should have your first mammogram at age 40, continue every two years until age 50, and then annually thereafter. Additionally, you should perform a self-breast examination after each menstrual cycle and have a check-up with your doctor once a year.
Mammography offers the advantage of early diagnosis of breast cancer. It can detect breast cancer 1-2 years before it reaches a size that can be felt during a physical examination, significantly increasing the success rate of treatment.
There are no known risks associated with mammography.
The cost of mammography varies depending on the institution where the procedure is performed.
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