Mammography is an effective diagnostic and screening tool used primarily for the early detection of breast cancer. It is believed to considerably reduce the mortality rate due to breast cancer to upto 20%. Routine mammography is promoted as a screening mechanism in the diagnosis of breast cancer in a lot of countries. Presently, it is widely accepted that mammography combined with physical breast examination is the way to detect breast cancer at an early stage.
Over a period of time, breast self-examination was the suggested means to finding cancer at a relatively early stage at which it could be cured; but it has been seen to be less than effective and hence no longer is it recommended by the health authorities. Better awareness of breast health as well as knowing one's body are suggested rather than conducting self exams.
Mammography is reported to have a false negative rate of 10 percent, which is the percentage of missed cancer cases after having gone through the procedure. This can be attributed to the dense tissues which makes the cancer unclear and also due to the fact that the manaifestation of cancer on mammograms can have a significant overlap with that of the normal tissues.
As part of the procedure, the breast is compressed using the mammography apparatus. This evens out the breast tissue thickness which will enhance the quality of the image as well as decrease the quantum of scattered radiation. Also in mammography screening, different angled views are taken as well as geometrically magnified and spot-compressed views of the specific region of apprehension. Since there are chances that deodorants and talcum powder may be indicated as calcium spots in the X-ray, the candidates are warned against using those while undergoing the procedure.
With the intention of promoting mammograms as a means of measuring breast cancer, hospitals and healthcare groups worldwide have initiated mobile mammography vans to bring cheap and accessible mammograms within their localities. Lifeline hospital Abu Dhabi unveiled the first mobile mammography unit in the private sector back in October 2010. The unit offered free mammograms to the residents in UAE and other Gulf countries with community outreach programs for preventive medicine and early diagnosis of cancerous diseases. Starting with capital Abu Dhabi, the hospital plans to conduct such campaigns in the different parts of the Emirate in the near future.
Visit Lifeline hospital Abu Dhabi or watch this video on Lifeline hospital's mobile mammo campaign
