It is an X-ray examination of the breast to detect the beginning of a cancerous growth. It is the basic imaging method for most women. As a rule, it is not suitable for young women in whom the gland is rich and dense. Mammography is performed on a machine, the mammograph, which uses so-called soft X-rays. During the examination, the breast must be sufficiently compressed, this is necessary to achieve a high quality image. Usually the breast is examined in two planes, so a total of 4 images are taken.
Some mammography examinations must be supplemented by ultrasound. In our department, this examination is performed immediately on the same day, within one patient visit. For scheduled examinations, it is optimal to examine in the first half of the menstrual cycle, when the breasts can be sufficiently squeezed without discomfort for the woman being examined, and when there is a risk of delay (if a malignant tumour is suspected).
What is mammography screening?
Mammography screening is a regular preventive examination of women without any signs of disease in order to catch developing disease at the earliest possible stage. The principle of mammography screening is based on the premise that disease caught at an early stage is more easily treatable and leads to a higher quality and longer life for patients.
Breast cancer is currently one of the most serious epidemiological problems in the Czech Republic. More than 4,600 new cases are diagnosed every year in our country and the incidence is constantly increasing. More than 2 000 Czech women die of breast cancer every year and breast cancer is the leading cause of death in the age group 20-54 years.
There are limited options for disease prevention at the individual level. Since the risk factor explaining the cause of this disease has not yet been identified with satisfactory reliability (as is the case with lung cancer), early diagnosis and successful treatment are the only options for its control.
Examination
Diagnostic mammography - is performed in patients with symptoms of breast cancer or already diagnosed breast cancer or as a complementary examination to screening mammography.
Screening mammography - is performed in accordance with the relevant decree of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic within the framework of preventive examinations and dispensary care. It is not an appropriate method for women under 40 years of age (except for women with a significantly increased risk of breast cancer, who are monitored according to an individually determined scheme) and should not be performed more frequently than annually. A woman should come to the screening mammography centre with a request to undergo this procedure or with an invitation (age-based indication). A female patient may come directly to the screening mammography centre without a request.
Ductography - is indicated in patients with spontaneous pathological secretion from the nipple, which could be a manifestation of cancer (papilloma, carcinoma, etc.).
Preparation:
- Examination performed standing, it is necessary to remove all cosmetic products in the armpits.
- Ultrasound examination - without preparation, examination lying down.
- Introduction of the locator to non-palpable bearings - without preparation, in cooperation with the requesting department.
- Percutaneous puncture or ultrasound-guided biopsy - without preparation, examination lying down, possible risks - allergic reaction to numbing agent or risk of bleeding and haematoma. Restrictions after the procedure - cover dressing until the next day and restriction of physical work and sports activity on the day of the procedure.
Examinations covered by the public health insurance
The screening is covered by the public health insurance once every two years for every woman over the age of 45. However, to avoid having to pay for the screening, you must bring a valid application form to the surgery. A request form is actually a request written on paper in which your doctor asks you to have a preventive breast examination. What does this mean? To have a preventive breast examination, you must first visit your gynaecologist or GP, who is obliged to issue you with a request form. The referring doctor then has the right to know the result of the examination and you are obliged to give this report to him. This procedure may seem unnecessarily complicated, but it is not. It is imperative that the doctor whom the woman sees the most knows whether his client is healthy and can safely prescribe all the medicines she needs. A woman who has a breast tumour, for example, cannot take hormonal drugs to the same extent as a healthy woman, and her doctor must know this fact.
The examination is paid for by you
Women who pay for their own mammograms or ultrasounds (self-payers) can be examined without a request (voucher) from their doctor. This applies to: Women who pay for their own mammograms or ultrasounds (self-payers) can be examined without a doctor's order (examination voucher). This applies to:
1) Women in the screening population (over 45 years of age) who wish to be screened earlier than the screening interval (currently 2 years between two consecutive mammograms),
2) women outside the screening population - i.e. those under the age of 45.
Appointment / enquiry about a preventive (screening) examination can be made by calling 567 157 602,
or through the online form - HERE
Instrumentation and sample images:
- Mammomat Inspiration, Siemens
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