Mammography
By identifying breast cancer in its early stages, mammograms can help save lives. Women who do not exhibit any signs or symptoms of breast cancer are nevertheless able to undergo a primary mammogram in women’s health. Each breast is imaged with X-rays twice or more during screening mammography. Screening mammography can identify microcalcification, which suggests the presence of breast cancer. After screening mammography, a diagnostic mammogram can be utilized to further examine any symptoms that were identified. False-positive results, over-diagnosis and treatment, False-negative results, radiation exposure, and other factors have contributed to the controversy surrounding mammography. Diagnostic and screening mammograms are available.
Screening: Women who are asymptomatic get screening mammography to detect malignant breast disease at an early, potentially treatable stage.
Diagnostic: Imaging done on patients with symptoms or to investigate an anomaly discovered during screening mammography. Imaging should be used to characterize pathology and make a diagnosis.