Health Guide Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Mammography’

Argentina medical issues (EMO), a web space that aims to disseminate information on medical advances, yesterday reported a study of the Hospital Universitario de La Ribera, which has demonstrated the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the diagnosis of breast cancer, considering that the test has correctly adjust the treatment in one of every five women involved, as reported by the Generalitat Valenciana.

EMO, based on a publication of JANO Spain, relates that the research involved the participation of 465 patient’s alcireño center, who have been studying. Thanks to the study mentioned here, as Manuel Cervera, Minister of Health, has won national awards and international research.

The research was led by the head of the center of Radiology, Dr. Julia Camps, who says that “with MRI is properly adjusted initial therapeutic approach to the specific needs of each patient, ie, the treatment had been decided follow based on the results of ultrasound and mammography, one of five women, representing 21% of cases.”

Hospital Universitario de La Ribera is one of the pioneers in Spain in hospitals routinely use MRI to determine the characteristics of breast tumors, its location and extent, and thus decide the best course of treatment , according to the source.

Dr. Julia Camps relates that once a patient has tested positive breast cancer, through the results of mammography, ultrasound and biopsy techniques, the most important thing is to see what size and tumor extension is because it “is not the same for the surgeon and oncologist cancer measure 1 inch and there is only one focus, or that measures 3 and has more of a focus scattered throughout the breast or even the other breast.”

In this way, it is considered that MRI allows better planning of surgery, as best detected the tumor and the extent, and even detects tumors that might otherwise go unnoticed to mammography or ultrasound. In the study, was taken into account not only the number of women in whom there has been a change in treatment after practicárseles an MRI, but also long-term results in the number of reoperations and recurrences.

Thus, of the women studied had returned to only intervene at the edges of the tumor excised piece affections, to 12% of patients, whereas in the case of women studied with MRI, this percentage tends to increase between 19 % and 25%.

Worldwide, every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, the second leading cause of death in women. Knowledge and early detection of tumor is the best prevention. And to achieve this we need to be informed. Today we will see some major misconceptions about breast cancer.

“Breast cancer cannot be prevented.”

FALSE. Periodic monitoring for early detection becomes the only way to treat it on time and increase the chances of a cure. The survival rate 5 years after diagnosis and early treatment is 96%. You are conducting studies with drugs that could
prevent breast cancer.

“If there are no symptoms should not worry.”

FALSE. 75% of nearly 18,000 women each year who are diagnosed with this disease had no known risk factors or symptoms. It is therefore important to monitor periodically, although in some cases the disease is announced from any symptoms such as lumps in the breast, changes in color or texture of the skin, hard or persistent axillary nodes, among others.

“There is no right age to start with the controls.”

FALSE. The WHO recommendations and Intersociedades Argentine Consensus indicates that we must perform a mammogram every year after age 40. If a woman has a family history of breast cancer begins ten years before the age of onset of disease in your family. Due to the particularity of each woman’s age and the frequency may be determined by your doctor.

“Self-examination is not used to detect breast cancer.”

FALSE. The method is used to detect breast cancer early, but is valid for awareness regarding breast care.

“The ultrasound replace mammography”

FALSE. They are two different types of techniques with specific purposes and uses, and often complementary at the discretion of the physician, but ultrasound does not replace mammography.

But preventive measures can be taken to prevent breast cancer have a limited impact, know that you can always do something to prevent the risk: choosing a healthy lifestyle, not snuff, with exercise and good habits. Today we will talk about the factors that increase the possibility of breast cancer.

Mammography from age 50

X-ray of the breast is a good method for early detection and, like MRI, has significantly improved the prognosis of the disease, but their age and frequency of application are discussed within the medical community because, among other things it is a chest irradiation, which is a risk factor. Although some experts advise to do it after 40 or 45 years, its benefit is unproven. Instead, it is beyond doubt that should do it every one or two years between 50 and 65 years of age.

Self-exploration and exploration

since it is not harmful, as is generally recommended for women of childbearing age in conjunction with breast self-examination each period, and postmenopausal women, once a month. It is also important to see a doctor once a year for a full gynecological examination.

When they jump the warning signs

No time to waste. It is important to see a doctor as soon as possible after you notice the presence of a lump, redness or retraction of the skin or nipple changes in any discharge, however small or that seem harmless such alterations.

Overweight: the enemy n ° 1

once the woman stops having periods, the amount of fat that accumulates in your body is related to the incidence of breast cancer. The more fat women have more estrogen is produced by exposing the breast to a greater amount of these hormones; the excess is related to the disease.

Breastfeeding: a healthy habit

The long-term breastfeeding decreases slightly the risk of breast cancer while women are in their childbearing years, subject to breast-feed her child during at least one year.

Definition Of Mammography:
A mammogram is a method to examine the breasts with small doses of radiation. This simple procedure is used to detect very small tumors and cysts, impossible to discover the physical examination. It can also help determine whether tumors are benign or malignant (cancerous). Although the precise diagnosis requires a biopsy to study the cells of the tumor in the breast lump.

Who should get a mammogram?
The recommendations for mammography are:
* All women between 35 and 39 years in order to detect early changes in the mammary gland.
* Every one or two years between 40 and 50 years
* Generally not recommended mammograms for women under 30 because their breast tissue is denser than those of older women. Mammography is not an accurate diagnosis in young women.
* Every year after 50 years
* Frequent assessments should be made for women who have had breast cancer have a sister or mother who had breast cancer or have any signs to suggest the presence of a malignant tumor.

Preparation for Study:
* Do not put powders, creams or deodorants may contain substances that interfere with the film.
* You can have temporary discomfort due to compression of the breasts with the plates. To minimize any discomfort, it is best to have your mammogram a week after the menstrual period. The test takes 10 to 15 minutes. If the person has large breasts, may need to take x-rays from different angles.
* While mammography can detect cancer early, not cent percent safe. Sometimes does not detect tiny lumps, and tumors that appear benign on mammogram turn out to be cancerous.