What Does a Mammogram Look For? |
Posted: April 23, 2019 |
Women may be hesitant to schedule a mammogram because they are scared of what the test will find. Hearing something was seen during the test is terrifying. However, what many women don't realize is the test does more than simply detect cancer. In fact, this type of test picks up many masses and structures that can easily be treated. If you have yet to schedule your yearly mammogram, contact a Jacksonville OBGYN to do so today. Cysts are one thing a doctor looks for when reading a mammogram. These fluid-filled masses are very common and are not a type of cancer. Once something has been detected by a mammogram, the doctor will usually order an ultrasound. The reason for this is the ultrasound moves right through the mass because it is not solid. The ultrasound waves won't do this with a solid tumor, so the person reading the test can easily distinguish between the two. Calcifications, when present in the breast, needs to be looked at further. Bigger means better in this case, as a macrocalcification typically isn't an indication of cancer and occurs as a result of extra cell growth. While this isn't always the case, early detection is better. Tiny flecks of calcium in the breast cannot be felt. They do show up on this test, however, and will often result in more testing being done. The doctor determines this based on the number, size, and shape of the calcifications. Young women may find a lump in the breast and panic, assuming they have breast cancer. Fortunately, for most women, this lump is nothing more than a fibroadenoma. The lump tends to be solid, round, and movable and is nothing more than normal breast cells that have clumped together. The doctor will determine if this mass needs to be removed. Often, they are simply monitored and, if the lump gets bigger, it will be removed to ensure it has not developed into cancer. Contact a Jacksonville OBGYN to schedule this test. Regardless of what is found, it's always better to know what you are dealing with. Furthermore, early detection of breast cancer greatly improves your chances of long-term survival. Make this appointment today.
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