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Breast cancer: breast ultrasound. Video
Lumps and pain in the chest, discharge from the nipples – these and many other symptoms can indicate serious diseases of the mammary glands. However, many breast diseases are asymptomatic until the very late stages. They can be detected in a timely manner using ultrasound.
Why do breast ultrasound?
Some diseases of the mammary glands can lead to serious consequences, and sometimes even cost a woman’s life. That is why it is important to identify and treat them in a timely manner. The most accurate breast examination method is mammography. Without fail, it should be regularly taken by all women over 40, and with a burdened family history – after 35 years.
However, due to the high radiation exposure, this procedure has a number of contraindications, therefore, at a younger age, it is practically not carried out for preventive purposes.
It is possible to timely detect problems and maintain breast health with the help of another study – ultrasound. It does not have a negative effect on the body and is very popular due to its availability and high efficiency.
With the help of ultrasound of the mammary glands, the following diseases can be detected:
- breast cancer
- fibroadenoma
- lipoma
- cyst
- mastopathy
Ultrasound examination of the mammary glands is completely safe, so it can be safely performed even for pregnant and lactating women as many times as required for a diagnosis or follow-up
In addition, breast ultrasound allows you to assess the condition of the regional lymph nodes, which are the first to respond to pathological changes in the work of the mammary glands.
When to do a breast ultrasound?
Without fail, an ultrasound of the mammary gland must be done in the presence of the following alarming symptoms:
- presence of lumps in the chest
- painful sensations in the mammary glands
- redness of the skin of the breast
- deformation of the nipples
- discharge from the breast in the absence of pregnancy and outside the period of physiological lactation
- in the presence of gynecological diseases (endometriosis, polyps or fibroadenoma of the uterus, endometrial hyperplasia, etc.)
It is also advisable to undergo an ultrasound examination of the mammary glands when choosing oral contraceptives, in the presence of silicone prostheses and after a breast injury.
Ideally, an ultrasound scan of the mammary glands should be an annual procedure for women of all ages, including those who do not have any complaints. This is the only way to timely identify asymptomatic serious diseases and to carry out treatment on time.
Ultrasound examination of the mammary glands is performed without any special training on the part of the woman
For the procedure to be most informative, it is advisable to undergo it from the 5th to the 9th day of the menstrual cycle.