By age 30, you should have your first mammography done, and after 40 it should be done once in a year. This suggestion is still controversial, but I will make it without hesitation. I am going to explain it in a moment. But first of all you must be wondering how screening mammograms are different from diagnostic mammograms.
Screening mammograms screen apparently normal breasts for breast area tumor. Two standard views are taken of the correct breast area and two of the left breast - a total of four views per patient. One view is used from above, the so-called cardio-caudal view; the other is taken from the side, the lateral view. In each view, it is important to visualize the entire breast. The radiologist or mammography reading your screening mammogram might recommend a diagnostic mammogram.
Usually, in diagnostic mammography, mammograms consists of a one-sided (right or left) mammogram taken with special views to enable the mammography to determine whether the abnormality that was seen on the screening film is suspicious enough to warrant a biopsy. The mammography reading the screening mammogram frequently will indicate what additional studies should be done to further evaluate the screening abnormality.
If you are asked to return to extra studies, then there is nothing to worry about, it never means that you have breast area tumor. It only means that your mammographer is just being extra careful for you. Mostly repeated diagnostic mammography doesn’t reveal tumor. I’ll advice you to read that sentence twice. If you are known as back to have a diagnostic mammogram, don't panic. Extra studies are often ordered simply to clarify your screening mammogram-for example, if the entire breast area was not visualized in one or both views.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Brain Tumor Diagnosis- Think Differently!
Let's face it; on the list of scary things that can happen to someone, being diagnosed with a brain tumor has got to be pretty high on anyone’s list. But, whether it's happened to you or to a loved one, a brain tumor diagnosis needn't be the end of the world.
In the summer of 2008, a brain tumor was diagnosed as being the cause of the 'kicking leg' effect, in my sister. To say we were both shell-shocked would be an understatement. When someone tells you, you have a brain tumor; the thought which automatically strikes into mind is that you are going to die.
After the initial shock had subsided a little, we started to think positively. We made an appointment with the neurosurgeon and my first question to him was, "how much pain will my sister have to experience?" His answer surprised me, "No pain", he said. We both felt that brain tumor diagnosis is not going to mean the end of the world after all.
And so it proved. The 5-hour operation was a completed success. Within 10 days my sister came back to home and the next day she was working on her computer as earlier she used to do. I tried to stop her but she wanted to do it, saying she was making herself comfortable and normal.
So although it's a very scary thing to be told, a brain tumor diagnosis is not the end of world. One is just needed to have patience, strong will power and think differently.
In the summer of 2008, a brain tumor was diagnosed as being the cause of the 'kicking leg' effect, in my sister. To say we were both shell-shocked would be an understatement. When someone tells you, you have a brain tumor; the thought which automatically strikes into mind is that you are going to die.
After the initial shock had subsided a little, we started to think positively. We made an appointment with the neurosurgeon and my first question to him was, "how much pain will my sister have to experience?" His answer surprised me, "No pain", he said. We both felt that brain tumor diagnosis is not going to mean the end of the world after all.
And so it proved. The 5-hour operation was a completed success. Within 10 days my sister came back to home and the next day she was working on her computer as earlier she used to do. I tried to stop her but she wanted to do it, saying she was making herself comfortable and normal.
So although it's a very scary thing to be told, a brain tumor diagnosis is not the end of world. One is just needed to have patience, strong will power and think differently.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer – Some Important Facts
Radiotherapy for breast cancer is something which has been contributing towards saving life of women suffering from breast cancer.
In modern times, almost every field has been developed a lot. And in the field of medical sciences, several treatments are developed to cure several serious diseases. Moreover, radiotherapy is one of those latest treatments. This therapy treats breast cancer by using powerful radiations to destroy the affected cells and harms as little as possible to normal tissues or cells.
Radiotherapy for breast cancer is mostly used by radiotherapists after breast cancer surgery. With this treatment, it becomes easier for doctors to remove the affected part of breasts. One important thing is that this therapy ca be used after or without any earlier breast surgery.
Radiotherapy treatment is normally comprised of series of daily sessions. Patients are needed to visit to hospital every day specified by doctors. Treatment involves just 10-15minutes and may lass for 3-6 weeks.
During the procedure of radiotherapy for breast cancer, one may notice certain side effects like tiredness and soreness but they disappear after complete treatment. Doctor usually discusses side effects and related changes with patients to make them comfortable. External radiotherapy is safe for children and other people living with the patient.
In the treatment, affected part gets removed without affecting normal tissues or lymph nodes in breast. Whole breast area including underarm, collar bone area and breast bone area are covered under the treatment of radiotherapy for breast cancer. One is just needed to go through a recognized hospital and doctors for better results.
In modern times, almost every field has been developed a lot. And in the field of medical sciences, several treatments are developed to cure several serious diseases. Moreover, radiotherapy is one of those latest treatments. This therapy treats breast cancer by using powerful radiations to destroy the affected cells and harms as little as possible to normal tissues or cells.
Radiotherapy for breast cancer is mostly used by radiotherapists after breast cancer surgery. With this treatment, it becomes easier for doctors to remove the affected part of breasts. One important thing is that this therapy ca be used after or without any earlier breast surgery.
Radiotherapy treatment is normally comprised of series of daily sessions. Patients are needed to visit to hospital every day specified by doctors. Treatment involves just 10-15minutes and may lass for 3-6 weeks.
During the procedure of radiotherapy for breast cancer, one may notice certain side effects like tiredness and soreness but they disappear after complete treatment. Doctor usually discusses side effects and related changes with patients to make them comfortable. External radiotherapy is safe for children and other people living with the patient.
In the treatment, affected part gets removed without affecting normal tissues or lymph nodes in breast. Whole breast area including underarm, collar bone area and breast bone area are covered under the treatment of radiotherapy for breast cancer. One is just needed to go through a recognized hospital and doctors for better results.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Diagnostic mammography – Features & Type of Views
No doubt science and technology are developing day by day but this is also the fact that diseases are also increasing and creating huge problems for humans. Diagnostic mammography is an advanced therapy in the field of medical science in order to cure breast cancer.
Breast cancer is one such severe disease which if not diagnosed and treated on time can put end to one’s life. And this is really very impressive to note that Diagnostic mammography have been developed as a treatment therapy for women suffering from breast cancer.
Diagnostic mammography can be defined as breasts x-ray exam which is performed to detect breast abnormality through physical exam or via screening mammography. One should now that Diagnostic mammography is quite different from the screening mammography. In diagnostic, additional views are usually taken of breasts but in the case of screening just two views.
Features of Diagnostic mammography are:
• Main objective is to find out exact location and size of breast abnormality.
• It takes image of abnormality occurring in lymph nodes as well as surrounding tissue.
• Most of the times, this mammography finds abnormality to be non-cancerous.
There are several typical views related to diagnostic mammograms. Some important ones are:
• MLO or medio lateral oblique view
• CC or cranio-caudal view
• supplemental views
• Spot compression
• Magnification views
Thus, all these views help radiologist to diagnose the cancer areas properly so that they can move further in this direction. Hence, Diagnostic mammography is very important x-ray exam.
Breast cancer is one such severe disease which if not diagnosed and treated on time can put end to one’s life. And this is really very impressive to note that Diagnostic mammography have been developed as a treatment therapy for women suffering from breast cancer.
Diagnostic mammography can be defined as breasts x-ray exam which is performed to detect breast abnormality through physical exam or via screening mammography. One should now that Diagnostic mammography is quite different from the screening mammography. In diagnostic, additional views are usually taken of breasts but in the case of screening just two views.
Features of Diagnostic mammography are:
• Main objective is to find out exact location and size of breast abnormality.
• It takes image of abnormality occurring in lymph nodes as well as surrounding tissue.
• Most of the times, this mammography finds abnormality to be non-cancerous.
There are several typical views related to diagnostic mammograms. Some important ones are:
• MLO or medio lateral oblique view
• CC or cranio-caudal view
• supplemental views
• Spot compression
• Magnification views
Thus, all these views help radiologist to diagnose the cancer areas properly so that they can move further in this direction. Hence, Diagnostic mammography is very important x-ray exam.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer – A Bliss
Radiotherapy for breast cancer is something which has been benefiting women a lot than other treatment therapy.
For me, it was the worst moment when I was being told about one of my friends who had cancer. The radiotherapy treatment was suggested by the doctor to her. Having been there it was shocking for me. But, I was to be very patient and strong for the sake of my friend.
Her treatment regime was consisting of four types of treatments which include FEC chemo etc. And, one treatment was four weeks of radiotherapy treatment.
Four weeks of radiotherapy for breast cancer was treated her like a job. She used to go to the hospital at allotted time every day. The treatments really had a fantastic set up in hospitals for radiotherapy patients. A special car park was there next to the unit for radiotherapy patients’ where they are guaranteed a space.
The actual treatment of radiotherapy ended in a few minutes and according to her it was as painless and quite relaxing as well. It depends from patient to patient because for some people, the treatment is very tiring and for some it is quite relaxing.
What I have observed while going with her during radiotherapy for breast cancer treatment that if someone is treated with chemo first then the perception of tiredness is changed! The visit to hospital regularly is a bit of a bind otherwise the mental trick to over come this is great.
For me, it was the worst moment when I was being told about one of my friends who had cancer. The radiotherapy treatment was suggested by the doctor to her. Having been there it was shocking for me. But, I was to be very patient and strong for the sake of my friend.
Her treatment regime was consisting of four types of treatments which include FEC chemo etc. And, one treatment was four weeks of radiotherapy treatment.
Four weeks of radiotherapy for breast cancer was treated her like a job. She used to go to the hospital at allotted time every day. The treatments really had a fantastic set up in hospitals for radiotherapy patients. A special car park was there next to the unit for radiotherapy patients’ where they are guaranteed a space.
The actual treatment of radiotherapy ended in a few minutes and according to her it was as painless and quite relaxing as well. It depends from patient to patient because for some people, the treatment is very tiring and for some it is quite relaxing.
What I have observed while going with her during radiotherapy for breast cancer treatment that if someone is treated with chemo first then the perception of tiredness is changed! The visit to hospital regularly is a bit of a bind otherwise the mental trick to over come this is great.
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