Mammograms are a method for detecting potential abnormalities that can be caused by breast cancer and other disorders. Mammograms are made by squeezing the breast between two photographic plates and taking an image of the tissue. Abnormalities can indicate problem areas and require further testing. Although mammograms should be interpreted by a health professional, there are opportunities for individual patients to look at an interpret their own mammograms.
Instructions
1. Get a current mammogram. Mammogram images are designed to monitor changes in breast tissue over time. The most important step in reading a mammogram is to have a current image to consult.
2. Obtain a copy of a previous mammogram. This will help you compare the two images. It is best to obtain images of several mammograms, spaced apart over several years.
3. Look for irregularities. Look for areas that are abnormally white and spherical, or areas near the surface that look unusually thick.
4. Compare with a previous mammogram. The most important diagnostic test for medical professionals is to compare a to a previous one and to look for changes. Because every woman has different breasts, there are no absolutes. Instead, mammograms are best examined via comparison to previous ones.
5. Read the mammogram report. Most mammograms come with an official diagnostic report of the findings, which can be very informative and can alert you to changes and problem areas within the mammogram which may require additional testing, such as biopsies.
Tags: current mammogram, most important, previous mammogram, problem areas