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The Amazing Story of Mammography: Do you know how mammography can help detect cancer early?
With the development of modern medicine, mammography has gradually become an important tool for women's health examination. This examination using low-energy X-rays can not only help detect breast cancer early, but also allow appropriate medical measures to be taken in a timely manner. According to studies, mammography can detect abnormalities such as characteristic masses, microcalcifications, symmetry and deformation, thereby reducing mortality.
The breast cancer death rate in the United States has fallen by more than 30 percent since mammography screening became common in the 1980s. In countries such as Denmark and Sweden, systematic breast screening has reduced breast cancer mortality by nearly half over the past 20 years.
Types of Mammography
Digital Photography
Digital mammography is a special form of mammography that uses digital receptors and computers to examine breast tissue. This technology can enhance the clarity and readability of images compared to traditional X-ray films and help radiologists make accurate diagnoses.
3D Photography
3D mammography, also called digital breast tomosynthesis, uses X-ray images taken from different angles to provide a three-dimensional view of the breast. The technology has been shown to significantly improve cancer detection results compared to traditional 2D mammography.
Photon counting photography
Photon counting mammography is an emerging technology that can reduce X-ray dose by about 40% while maintaining image quality. This technology has the potential to further improve image clarity and differentiate between different tissue types.
Medical applications and screening recommendations
According to the latest recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, all women should have a mammogram screening every two years between the ages of 40 and 74. In contrast, the American Cancer Society recommends annual screening for women over 40.
Among high-risk women, such as those with BRCA gene mutations, a history of chest radiation therapy, or a family history of breast cancer, annual mammography and breast MRI are recommended starting at age 30.
Screen Process
During the mammography process, professional mammography equipment will compress the breast, which can improve the quality of the image and reduce the impact of stray radiation. This procedure allows X-rays to pass through breast tissue efficiently, producing clear images.
Pain and Risk
While mammography is crucial for early breast cancer detection, the procedure can be uncomfortable and even painful. Reports show that many women experience pain during the examination, but providing adequate information can effectively reduce this discomfort.
The process of technological evolution
Since Wilhelm Röntgen's discovery of X-rays in 1895, mammography has had a stellar history. In the early 1900s, doctors began using X-rays to study breast tumors and explore how to use images to distinguish between benign and malignant masses. As technology has evolved, the quality of mammography has continued to improve, making it an important screening tool today.
The success of mammography lies not only in detecting cancer, but also in increasing the possibility of early diagnosis, thereby improving the quality of life of countless women.
Looking back on the development of mammography, one cannot help but wonder, are there still more things worth pondering in our journey of development of detection and medical technology?
