Image Reference: Mammogram

How does a mammogram work? 

• The Procedure:

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, a mammogram is an X-ray that “uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs on film,” but is made specifically for examining breasts. The same articles state that mammograms were created because of the inconclusiveness of diagnosing someone with breast disease, such as breast cancer, based primarily on relying on touch to feel for lumps in that area (Mammogram procedure). 

Johns Hopkins Medicine confirms that, though a great way to look for abnormalities in a person’s breasts that can not be seen with a person’s naked eye, mammograms cannot prove that an abnormal area is cancer. Still, instead, it helps increase the suspicion of cancer significantly, which could not be done so well without such a procedure (Mammogram procedure). According to the article Mammogram Procedure by Johns Hopkins Medicine, mammography has severely advanced technologically in the past fifteen years and provides high-quality X-ray images that expose the patient to a low dose of radiation.

Image Reference: Cleveland Clinic Breast Biopsy

• The Post Procedure:

After finding something abnormal in the breast through the mammogram, the doctor will remove the tissue for a biopsy to confirm the presence of a breast disease, which can be done with a needle or open surgery (Mammogram procedure). After completing the biopsy and analyzing the results, the doctor will finally be able to confirm whether or not their patient has a health condition or not.