Is It Safe To Use Bio Identical Hormones?

Nowadays bio identical hormones have become most popular, partly because of increased health risks associated with standard hormone replacement therapy or partly due to celebrity endorsements.

Bio identical means the hormones in the product are chemically similar to those your body develops.

Marketers say that their products are safer than standard hormone therapies because:

• They are made from plant chemicals instead of synthesizing in a laboratory. There are some FDA approved products that are made from plants such as: Prometrium natural progesterone, Estrace, Vivelle-Dot patch and Climara patch. FDA has approved over 20 natural bioidentical hormone products including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone


• These hormones are custom made for you. They are based on an examination of your saliva to assess your distinctive hormonal needs. But, the hormone levels in the saliva do not replicate the levels in the blood or correspond to menopause symptoms.


• These hormones are prepared in various doses and forms that are very much different from some of the FDA approved products. You will get some bio identical hormones without any prescription, but most of them need prescription.


• If you want these hormones in any nonstandard combinations, you need to consider a non-compounding pharmacy. Here you will get medications that are specially customized to satisfy your needs.


• The most familiar bio identical hormones are estrogen and progesterone, which are produced by compounding pharmacies to reduce the menopause symptoms and hormonal imbalances.


• Hormonal imbalances lead to the risk of heart attack, stroke and even breast cancer and when used accurately, bio identical hormone replacement therapy can decrease this risk.


• Bio identical estrogen and progesterone have constantly been shown to lessen and remove the breast-cell proliferation rates whereas synthetic hormones, particularly progestin, have been revealed to raise risk of breast cancer.


• In terms of cardiovascular disease, bio identical progesterone maintains and enhances the heart protective effects of estrogen, decreasing the risk for heart attack and stroke.
  

Bio identical hormones are safe when used properly and under the care of an expert physician trained specifically in bio identical hormone replacement therapy.

How To Diagnose Respiratory Diseases?

Chronic respiratory diseases are chronic diseases of the airways and other structures of the lung.

Among those, the most common illnesses include: respiratory allergies, asthma, occupational lung diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary hypertension.

The most important risk factors for preventable chronic respiratory diseases include:

• Indoor air pollution


• Allergens


• Tobacco smoking


• Occupational risks


• Outdoor pollution
  

Nowadays, hundreds of millions of people are suffering from chronic respiratory diseases. According to the recent studies, presently 210 million people are suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 300 million people from asthma, and millions of people from allergic rhinitis.

Respiratory system has a great role in our body. Not only it supplies oxygen to various cells of the body, but also it washouts the wastages, supplies air required for speech and filters out infectious agents. So, it is very much essential to protect our respiratory system in all aspects.

In order to investigate your chronic respiratory diseases, you need to undergo one or more of the following tests:

Pulmonary function test: It is a group of tests used to evaluate how well the lungs take in and release air and how well they move gases such as oxygen from the lungs.

Chest X-ray: This test is used to diagnose the conditions that affect your chest, its content and nearby structures. It generates the image of your chest.

Bronchoscopy: This method is used to observe inside of your airways for therapeutic and diagnostic purpose. In this procedure, an instrument is placed in your airways through mouth or nose. With the help of this test, your practitioner can observe the abnormalities of your airways like bleeding, foreign bodies, inflammation or tumors.

Computed tomography scan: CT scan is a medical imaging method employing tomography created by computer processing. This type of digital geometry processing is used to produce a three-dimensional image of the inside of your body from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis.

Biopsy: In this procedure cells or tissues are removed from the lung or pleura for examination. This method helps to find out the presence of the disease. The cells are examined under a microscope and also analyzed chemically.

Ultrasound: This method is used to detect fluid such as pleural effusion.

Ventilation – Perfusion scan: It is used to evaluate circulation of blood and air within your lungs. Perfusion part assesses how well the blood circulates within the lungs, whereas ventilation part observes whether the air reaches all parts of the lungs or not.

Culture of microorganisms: This method is used to determine the cause of infectious diseases. For instance, your throat culture is taken by scratching the lining of tissue in the back of your throat and blotting the sample into a media to be able to screen for harmful microorganisms, like streptococcus pyogenes, the causative means of strep throat. 

Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy FAQs!

Want to get relief from the symptoms of menopause?

Become tired of using various hormonal therapies for menopause symptoms?

Have you ever heard of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy?

Nowadays, it is a most popular method used for relieving menopause symptoms.

Everyone has various queries about this therapy. Here are the most common questions about BHRT:

What is bio-identical hormone replacement therapy?

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), also known as bio-identical hormone therapy recommended to treat menopause symptoms by using hormones that are molecularly identical to endogenous hormones.

Supplemental doses of hormones used in BHRT have a chemical structure similar to the hormones that your body naturally produces.

How does BHRT beneficial for me?

BHRT not only used to relieve menopause symptoms, but also used for post-menopause and peri-menopause symptoms.

Who needs BHRT?

Women suffering from the symptoms of early menopause and are looking to put an end to night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings, low libido, memory loss and weight gain can undergo this therapy.

How are BHRT treatments created?

Most of the bio-identical hormones are generated from wild yams and soybeans, which contain unique compounds that are processed chemically and made into identical replicas of hormones the body produces.

Are there any other forms of BHRT?

Static dosing is one form. Rhythmic cycling is another form that is based on the cycles of nature and is meant to mimic the time during which women are at their reproductive peak. Rhythmic cycling is a new and very good approach in BHRT.

There are three categories of bio-identical hormone therapy, such as natural estrogens, natural progesterone and natural androgens.

How can I take BHRT?

These hormones are taken orally or are injected. Also, they can be applied via a cream and a suppository.

Is it safe to use bio-identical hormone replacement therapy?

Bio means natural, as any natural products are safe, these hormones are also safe to use. These are safer and more effective than standard hormone replacement therapy. These prescription and over-the-counter products are marketed as being tailored to a woman's individual hormonal needs, typically determined through saliva hormone testing.

The FDA approved bio-identical estrogen and progesterone products include: Estradiol, such as Estrace, Climara patch and Vivelle-Dot patch and natural progesterone (Prometrium). These products come in various doses and forms. Your practitioner suggests definite dosage according to your body needs.

Is it necessary to take prescription?

Yes, Bio-identical hormones must be prescribed. As the hormones are compounded, it is necessary that they be dispensed under a prescription.

Does insurance cover this treatment?

This varies according to the insurer.

How long does it usually take to adjust to the therapy?

Each patient needs are unique, so the time for adjustment varies from one person to another. Generally, it takes 3 months to alleviate all the symptoms.

Are there any other names for BHRT?

“Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy" (NHRT) is the most common name for BHRT. Generally, this name is most commonly used by the patients, whereas bio-identical hormone replacement therapy seems more popular among pharmacists and doctors.

Are there any other benefits of BHRT?

Other benefits of natural bio-identical hormones include:

• Enhances your energy levels


• Decreases hot flashes


• Slows your aging process


• Maintains arterial and cardiac health


• Maintains your breast health, along with protection against any other malignant changes


• Guards you against uterine and breast cancer


• Slow or even reverse the production of fibroids


• Delays or prevents the growth of Alzheimer’s disease


• Increases your bone density, even controls osteoporosis

14 Essential FAQs About Pap Smear!

Pap smear is also called as Pap test, which is used to test for cervical cancer in women.

This procedure involves collecting cells from your cervix – the lower and narrow end of your uterus.

Detecting cervical cancer in early stages can increase the chances of recovery.

Also, Pap smear helps to detect the changes in your cervical cells that indicate cancer in the future. Detecting these cells early with a Pap smear is your first step in halting the possible development of cervical cancer.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Pap smear:

1. What a Pap smear really means?

This is a diagnostic test used to identify the changes in the cells of your cervix. Pap smear can help to identify cervical cancer, infections of the cervix or abnormal cervical cells.

2. What are the benefits of Pap smear?

This test helps to identify the early signs of cervical cancer. If the signs are identified early, the chances of curing are high. Also, the test identifies abnormal cervical cells and infection that can turn into cancer cells. So, getting regular Pap smear can help to prevent the chances of developing cervical cancer.

3. Who needs Pap smear?

It is essential that all women have pelvic exams along with Pap smear as a part of regular health checkup. Women with 21 years or more and women under 21 years and have been sexually active for more than three years should undergo Pap smear.

Generally, there is no age limit for the test. Women during their menopause stage can also undergo Pap smear.

4. When should I get Pap smear?

The time and frequency of the test depend on your age and your health conditions. It is better to talk to your doctor.

• People younger than 30 years should undergo Pap smear every year.


• People of age 30 or older should talk their doctor about spacing out Pap smear to every 2 or 3 years.


• People between the ages of 65 to 70 years and already had Pap test for 3 times and no abnormal Pap test during the past ten years should talk to their doctor about further tests.
  

5. Do I still need Pap smear even after having hysterectomy?

This depends on the type of hysterectomy procedure that you have undergone. Consult your doctor whether you need the test or not. Women who have undergone total hysterectomy, removal of both the uterus and cervix, may not need to undergo regular a Pap smear. If only uterus is removed, then Pap test is essential.

6. How to prepare for the Pap smear test?

For two days before undergoing the test, you should avoid:

• Usage of tampons


• Douching


• Usage of vaginal deodorant sprays or powders


• Usage of suppositories, vaginal creams, and other medications


• Avoid intercourse
  

7. Can I undergo Pap smear when I have periods?

No, you should not have Pap test during your menstrual period. Best period to undergo the test is 10-20 days after the first day of your last menstrual period.

8. What does the procedure involves?

Pap test can be done during your pelvic exam. It is simple and a quick procedure. When you lie on the table, your doctor introduces an instrument called speculum into the vagina, to see your cervix.

Then with the help of special stick, the doctor accumulates the cells from the cervix. These cells are then placed on a glass slide and tested in the laboratory. It is a painless procedure, but some women feel it slightly uncomfortable.

9. When will Pap test results come?

The results of Pap test come in 2-3 weeks. Usually, the test results are normal. If there is something wrong from the test, your doctor asks you to again schedule for the test. Various reasons can result in abnormal Pap test, but it doesn’t mean that you have cancer.

10. What means abnormal Pap test?

Abnormal Pap test results mean that there might be a problem with the cervix. Sometimes, these abnormal cells can lead to cancer. But, most of the times, these cells go away on their own. If these unhealthy cells are treated soon, then the cancer can be prevented completely.

11. What happens if my test result was abnormal?

If it is an abnormal Pap test or results in small changes of your cervical cells, then your doctor will ask you to repeat the procedure.

If the results are more serious, then your doctor suggests further more powerful tests such as: biopsy, colposcopy or endocervical curettage.

12. What means false positive results?

There is no guarantee that results are always 100% correct, sometimes they might be false positive or false negative. False positive test result means you have abnormal cells, but in reality the cells are normal. So, if your test results in false positive, it indicates that there is no problem.

False negative test result means your cells are normal, but in reality there are some abnormal cells. So, if the test results in false negative, you need to undergo regular Pap test until the problem is identified.

13. Who have greater chances of getting cervical cancer?

The best way to be free from cervical cancer is avoiding contact with human papilloma virus (HPV) as it is the definite cause of cervical cancer. Here are the causes, which lead to women whose chances of getting cervical cancer are more:

• Women with more than one sex partners


• Women who have or have had a STD


• Women whose sex partner have other sex partners


• Women who started sex before the age of 18
  

14. Will insurance cover my Pap test?

Yes, insurance covers the cost of Pap smear. The cost varies from one doctor to another and it ranges from $50 to $200. Without health insurance, it may seem difficult to get the test because of the cost.


10 Screening Tests That Women Should Have!

Do you know that as women, we all should undergo certain medical tests and health screenings throughout our lives? For instance, did you know that hearing and vision screenings are recommended during every decade of your life?

Here is the list of 10 screening tests that you should undergo:

1. Pap test

Women age 21 and above should undergo Pap test. Sexually active young women under 21 also need to have Pap test starting within three years of the first time sexual intercourse happened. Pap test or Pap smear helps to detect abnormal changes in cervical cells that can lead to cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is now 15^th among the causes of cancer deaths. Every year, about 3,700 women are dying of cervical cancer.

2. Heart screening

Heart disease is the most leading cause of death in American women and about 250,000 women are dying of heart disease every year. This figure is six times greater than the women that die from breast cancer.

You can prevent coronary disease by maintaining healthy diet and taking proper lifestyle medications and enough physical activity. For heart screening, you need to undergo a blood test that checks your cholesterol levels and blood fats.

If you experience any chest pain, shortness of breath or additional heartbeat, you should undergo a test called stress echocardiogram. This test performed to determine whether there is any reduced blood flow to your heart.

3. Mammograms

When to begin annual mammography varies from one health professional to another. According to American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the best age to start mammography is 40. Mammogram is a safe, painless and essential for the early detection of breast cancer.

Also, women during their 20s and 30s should undergo a breast exam for every three years to detect any lumps and bumps.

4. Blood pressure checks

Every year, about 50 million people in the United State have high blood pressure. One out of every five people is suffering from hypertension. It occurs when your blood pressure reading rise above 140/90.

Also, people suffer from low blood pressure or hypo tension. It occurs when your blood pressure reading falls below the normal range. When you have low blood pressure, you will experience headaches, light headed or dizziness.

5. Bone density test

It is fairly a simple and painless procedure. Women above 65 should have regular bone density test. Younger women who have had hysterectomy should also undergo regular bone density test. Osteoporosis is the disease that causes significant bone loss, if the condition is not detected and treated early, it can lead to fragile bones that break easily. Early diagnosis of this disease is treatable with medications.

6. Regular HIV testing

CDC recommended that everyone who consults a doctor or who is in an emergency room should undergo HIV testing on a routine basis. Regular HIV testing can decrease the spread of HIV virus about 30%. HIV virus is the most leading cause of AIDS.

7. Colon cancer test

Women should start screening for colon cancer at the age of 50. There are various procedures that help to detect colon cancer, so it is best to consult your doctor to know which test is right for you. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you should be screened at an earlier age. Colonoscopy is the procedure that can detect colon cancer.

8. STD test

If you think of any exposure to STD, immediately contact your doctor for testing. If you experience any abnormal vaginal discharge, you should consult your doctor. Abnormal vaginal discharge doesn’t indicate an STD, but it is the indication of either an STD or an yeast or vaginal infection.

9. BMI test

BMI is a measure of body fat according to your height and weight and it determines where you fall on the weight spectrum. BMI level more than 39 indicates that you are obese. You can check BMI yourself by using BMI calculator.

10. Cholesterol test

Regular cholesterol screening helps to detect the risk of developing heart disease. Adult women should undergo regular cholesterol test for every five years.

Benefits Of HRT During Menopause!

HRT or hormone replacement therapy, a treatment used to replace the hormones, which your body can no longer produce because of menopause.

In this therapy, the hormones that can be replaced include estrogen and progesterone.

The average age at which menopause can strike your life is 52 years, but some can experience menopause during their 30s only.

Role of estrogen hormone: Estrogen can be used to encourage the release of eggs. If your body can not release the eggs, it means that there is no more estrogen hormone in your body.

Also, estrogen helps to perform various bodily functions such as bone density, temperature of your skin and also vaginal lubrication.

Estrogen deficiency can greatly linked to various other health problems such as:

• Vaginal dryness


• Hot flashes


• Lack of sex drive


• Joint pain


• Back pain


• Mood changes like depression or irritability


• Night sweats


• Thinning of the bone that can lead to osteoporosis
  

Role of progesterone: Major function of progesterone hormone is to get ready for the possible pregnancy. Also, progesterone helps to protect the womb lining.

Deficiency of progesterone can increase the risk of cancer of the uterine lining, which is called as endometrial cancer. So, progesterone can be used in combination with estrogen.



Pap Smear To Detect Cervical Cancer!

Are you in fear of having cervical cancer? Then consider Pap smear to confirm it.

Pap smear, also called as Pap test is an invasive procedure to test for the presence of cervical cancer.

This procedure involves collecting cells from your cervix at the lower and narrow end of the uterus.

Early detection of cervical cancer with Pap smear gives you greater chance for cure. Cell changes in your cervix can also be detected with Pap smear because cell changes indicate a sign of cervical cancer in the future.

Usually, Pap smear is done in conjunction with pelvic examination. During pelvic examination, your doctor tests your external genitals, uterus, vagina, rectum and ovaries.

Who should receive Pap smear?

Every woman must get Pap smear regularly throughout her lifetime. You should have your first time pap smear by the period you turn 18.

Sexually active women before the age of 18 years should consider the test even earlier. You should get the test every year or for every six years if the results are positive for abnormal cells.
Even after entering into the menopausal stage, you should consider Pap test. Certain women should be very careful in scheduling Pap smear.

Women with HIV are at greater risk of growing cervical cancer and various other cervical irregularities. Women who undergone hysterectomy should also consider Pap smear every year.

What Pap smear procedure consists of?

This is a quick and simple practice that takes few minutes. During the procedure:

• You need to lie down on an examination table keeping your feet in the stirrups or resting closer to your bottom.


• Knees will be bent outwards in order to expose your vagina.


• The surgeon inserts a speculum in the vagina. This instrument helps to keep your vaginal passage open for some time.


• Surgeon cleans your cervix by using a cotton swab.


• With the help of small brush or another cotton swab, surgeon collects some cells from the cervix for further testing.


• During the test, you won’t experience any pain, but you feel some stress on your lower abdomen. Relaxation and deep breathing helps you very much.
  

How to prepare for the Pap test?

• To get effective results, follow these tips before undergoing the procedure.


• Avoid intercourse, douching and usage of vaginal medicines, creams, spermicidal foams, or jellies for at least two days before undergoing the procedure.


• Don’t schedule Pap test during your menstrual period.
  

What is the outcome of Pap smear?

It takes one to two weeks to get the results of Pap test. If the test comes negative, it indicates that there are not any abnormal cells. If the test comes positive, it indicates the presence of abnormal cells in the cervix. Causes of an abnormal pap smear include:

• Cancer


• Infection


• Inflammation
  

Abnormal Pap smear indicates that you should undergo cervical examination once again. At this time, colposcope, a microscope like device is used to magnify the cervix. Then your doctor can determine whether there is an infection or a need of tissue sample to confirm the presence of cancer cells.

Leukemia Chemotherapy - Benefits And Side Effects

Do you or anyone you know have leukemia?

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses powerful drugs to destroy cancel cells. These drugs can be given:

• Intravenously, through a vein


• Orally, by mouth


• Through a catheter


• Subcutaneously, injected under the skin


• Intramuscularly, injected into muscle


• Intrathecally, injected into cerebrospinal fluid
  

Chemotherapy for treating leukemia varies greatly because leukemia is of several types. Generally, leukemia treatment combines chemotherapy with various anticancer drugs that destroy cancer cells by preventing them from growing and dividing rapidly.

Catheter: When leukemia chemotherapy treatment is administered in this fashion, a thin, flexible tube is placed in a large vein, most often in the upper chest. Catheter that remains in place is useful for patients who require many IV treatments.

Your practitioner injects drugs into the catheter instead of directly into the vein. This type of drug administration avoids the need for various injections, which can make you feel discomfort and also injure the vein and skin.

Injecting into cerebrospinal fluid: If your doctor discovers cancer cells in the fluid that block the spaces in and around the spinal cord and brain, then your doctor considers intrathecal chemotherapy.

Then your doctor injects this drug directly into the spinal fluid. This method is considered because the drugs by mouth or IV injection don’t reach the cells in spinal cord and brain.

You will receive chemotherapy treatment in the form of cycle i.e. treatment period, recovery period and then another treatment period.

Leukemia chemotherapy can lead to various side effects based on the drug you are taking and the dose. Usually, chemotherapy drugs affect the cancer cells and divide them rapidly, but it can also affect other cells, which include:

Cells in hair root: Chemotherapy drugs can cause hair loss. Though your hair will grow back, the new hair may look different in color and texture.

Blood cells: Blood cells fight against infections, supply oxygen to all parts of the body and help the blood to clot. When the blood cells are affected, you are more susceptible to infections, bruise or bleed easily and feel weak and tired.

Cells at the lining of digestive tract: Chemotherapy causes lip and mouth sores, vomiting, nausea, poor appetite and diarrhea.

Some other side effects of chemotherapy:

• You may have irregular menstrual periods or periods that may stop altogether.


• You may experience menopause symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes.

Know Six Types Of Hysterectomy!

Hysterectomy, a surgical procedure used for the removal of uterus and cervix.

This is an invasive procedure, but today with advanced technology and innovative surgical devices and techniques make the procedure as less invasive.

Some of these techniques can only remove your uterus allowing you to keep your cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes. Also, there is reduced hospital stays and recovery time.

Before undergoing the surgery, get some knowledge about the types of hysterectomy so that you can remove the fear about undergoing the surgery.

Here are the types of hysterectomy:

1. Total abdominal or open hysterectomy

In this traditional and most invasive type of hysterectomy, uterus and cervix are removed through large abdominal incision. This type of hysterectomy is recommended for women who have large fibroids and are not removed with any type of hormone therapy or can’t be removed vaginally.

This procedure can also be preferred if you have pelvic infections, cancer, severe endometriosis, and scarring from previous pelvic surgeries. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and it needs a hospital stay for 3-6 days.

Abdominal hysterectomy leaves a visible scar on your abdomen. Women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy can not give birth to a child. So, it can not be recommended for women in their childbearing age unless there is any serious condition like cancer.

2. Vaginal hysterectomy

Uterus and cervix are removed by making an incision deep inside your vagina. Usually, this method is considered to treat uterine vaginal prolapse, cervical dysplasia, endometrial hyperplasia and also for treating early uterine and cervical cancer.

Vaginal hysterectomy needs less post-operative discomfort and shortened hospital stay, recovery time. During the procedure, you need to keep your legs raised up in a stirrup device. This procedure can not be considered

• If you have large fibroids


• If your uterus is too large


• If you can not keep the legs raised in the stirrup device for longer periods


• If there is a need to examine your entire abdomen

3. Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH)

It is a most expensive and has higher complication rates when compared to abdominal hysterectomy. This procedure is very similar to vaginal hysterectomy.

Uterus and cervix are removed by making an incision deep inside the vagina and also a laparascope, a thin lighted telescope is inserted by making a small incision in the vagina.

It needs longer hospital stays and recovery time. Having too large uterus, history of prior surgery, or large pelvic mass makes your surgeon to consider abdominal hysterectomy.

4. Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH)

This is a less invasive and less traumatic procedure. This procedure uses a thin, lighted telescope like device that acts like a video camera along with various small surgical instruments that are inserted through your vagina.

During the procedure, your surgeon carefully separates uterus from the cervix and removes it through an opening. Cervix i.e. the bottom part of the uterus is left undamaged.

This procedure puts less stress on your body than an open hysterectomy. This procedure is mainly developed to reduce the pain, minimize scarring and shorten the recovery time.

It keeps the cervix undamaged, which helps to reduce the risk of pelvic floor prolapse, urinary incontinence and other types of complications associated with open hysterectomies.

5. Supracervical hysterectomy

This procedure removes the uterus while sparing the cervix leaving it as a stump. Women who are at a risk of cervical cancer or undergo Pap smear are not good candidates for this type of hysterectomy. If you have severe endometriosis, cervix is better kept in its place. It is very simple and needs less recovery time.

6. Radical hysterectomy

It involves more extensive surgery than a total abdominal hysterectomy. Similar to abdominal hysterectomy, this also includes removal of tissues surrounding the uterus and upper vagina.

For treating cervical cancer in its early stages, this procedure is most commonly preferred. Severe complications associated with radical hysterectomy include damage to your urinary system and bowels.

Mammogram To Detect The Breast Changes!

Mammogram, an X-ray exam of the breast used to detect and evaluate the breast changes in women who suspect any abnormality of the breast.

Usually, mammogram is used to detect cancer in women who have no symptoms. It is called as screening mammogram.

There are two types of mammography exam. One is screening mammography and the other is diagnostic mammography.

Screening mammography: It is an X-ray examination of breasts in women who are asymptomatic. The main aim of screening mammography is detecting cancer when it is too small to be felt by you or the physician.

Detecting the breast cancer during its early stages can greatly improve the chance of successful treatment. Women above the age of 40 years should be recommended to consider screening mammography for every one to two years and women above the age of 50 years should consider it for every year.

Diagnostic mammography: It is an X-ray examination of breasts in women who either have breast complaints such as breast lump or nipple discharge, have had any abnormality found in screening mammography.

Diagnostic mammography takes more time when compared to screening mammography. The main aim of this mammography is to find out the exact size and location of breast abnormalities and to image the surrounding tissue and lymph nodes.

During diagnostic mammography, several views of your breast are imaged and interpreted. So, this procedure is little bit expensive when compared to screening mammography. Women with history of breast cancer or with breast implants will need several views taken in diagnostic mammography.

How is a mammogram performed?

During the mammogram, your breast is compressed between an X-ray plate and a plastic plate. Breast compression is essential for spreading the tissue part. It ensures little movement so that the image is taken in precise shape and also your screening needs lower X-ray dose.

While compressing the breast, you may feel little discomfort and it is also painful. But this discomfort lasts only for few seconds and finally it produces a good mammogram image. The whole mammogram procedure takes about 20 minutes.

Mammogram produces black and white x-ray image of your breast tissue. Depending on the mammography device, you will get the image on a large sheet of X-ray film or an electronic image that can be looked on a computer screen.

Mammogram image reading is challenging for most of the radiologists. The way the breast appears on a mammogram varies greatly from one woman to another. Certain breast cancers produce changes in the mammogram, which can be difficult to examine.