Mammography Cost In India

Who needs Mammography?

Mammography is suggested for patients based on advice from health organizations on what examinations they should undergo for the detection of underlying conditions in seemingly healthy individuals, and for early detection of diseases, other factors of risk, and the presence of any signs of the condition.

Mammography for Screening (No symptoms): Screening mammography is for healthy patients whose primary objective is to diagnose breast cancer early.

Women with average risk –
Depending on age, mammography timelines for the detection of breast cancer are stipulated.

• Women in the age group of 40-44 are advised to start annual mammography screening for breast cancer.
• For those aged 45-54, it is a strict recommendation to undergo annual mammography, and
• For those aged above 55, the annual screening frequency is shifted to every 2 years.

Women with increased risk – These groups are strictly recommended to undergo annual mammography screening plus in combination with magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound. The groups are mainly

• Women with known genetic mutations (Eg, BRCA1 or BRCA2).
• Women with a strong family history of breast cancer (predicted lifetime risk > 20-25%).
• Women who have undergone prior chest radiation.
• Women with dense breast tissue.

Mammography for diagnosis – A diagnostic mammogram is used when patients have symptoms or an abnormal finding during a screening mammogram. It is a problem-solving tool tailored by a radiologist and can be performed on men and women, irrespective of age.

Diseases in which mammograms are used as a diagnostic technique are –

• A new persistent mass or lump that does not disappear.
• Breast pain that cannot be explained.
• Discharge from nipples, especially if blood is in it or is absolutely clear.
• Changes in breast size, shape, skin, and texture.
• Evaluation of an abnormal area found during a screening mammogram.
• Men with symptoms or higher risk factors.

What are the different diagnostic techniques for breast issues?

Detection of breast issues requires the use of different techniques in combination. Basically, a combination of physical exam, different types of imaging tests, and a biopsy. This combination is basically termed as triple assessment.

Physical evaluations involve a clinical breast exam (CBE) – in this evaluation, a doctor or a healthcare professional has a careful look at the breasts, and feels for lumps, thickening, and other changes in breast tissue, and lymph nodes in the armpit and close to the collarbone.

Breast self-exam (BSE) – is where individuals can perform regular self-evaluatory tests to get accustomed to the normal feel of their breasts, making it easier to notice and report any changes to a healthcare provider.

Imaging tests – are evaluatory tests that create inside images of the organ to help observe any disease conditions and screen for breast cancer.

Mammogram – An X-ray of the breast and the most commonly used screening test for breast cancer. These are usually of two types, but a 3 modern type has increased the range for successful detection

• A screening mammogram is used to look for signs of cancer in people without any symptoms of cancer.
• A diagnostic mammogram is a more complete X-ray of a specific area. This is used if the screening evaluation or physical examination reveals an area of concern.
• 3D mammography (Digital breast tomosynthesis) makes use of X-rays from various angles to create a 3D picture of the breast, especially helpful for women with dense breast tissue.

Breast Ultrasound – Instead of X-rays, as in mammography, high-energy sound waves are used to create the image of breast tissue. Breast ultrasound is especially useful in determining if the lump is a fluid-filled cyst (usually benign) or a solid mass (that requires further evaluation).

Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging – This evaluation makes use of a strong magnet combined with radio waves to produce extremely detailed images of the breast. This technique is mostly used in women who are at a very high risk of breast cancer, and to examine the extent of cancer after it has been detected.

Biopsies – A biopsy is the only definitive way to confirm breast cancer. A tissue sample is taken from the area where cancer is suspected, and then is examined by a pathologist in the laboratory. There are several types of it, which include

• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) – A thin needle is utilized to remove a very small amount of fluid or cells from the suspected lump. This technique is mostly used for the drainage of cysts.
• Core Needle Biopsy – is another technique where a larger-sized and hollow needle than the FNA aspiration is used to remove tissue in cylindrical shapes. This test method is considered a standard for the detection of breast cancer, as it provides a large amount of sample for analysis.
• Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy – makes use of a probe that is connected to a vacuum device to remove a small amount of breast tissue via a single small cut.
• Surgical (Excisional/Incisional) Biopsy – is a technique where a surgeon cuts the breast in an incisional manner, where part of the lump is removed, and in an excisional manner is where the entire lump is removed.

Guidance of imaging techniques like ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging is utilised to ensure that the sample is taken from the correct location.

Types of Mammography

Mammography can be differentiated into two main types: one depends on the purpose of mammography, and the other depends on the type of technology utilized.

By purpose :

• Screening Mammography – A Routine test for women without symptoms to diagnose early signs of cancer.
• Diagnostic Mammography – Detailed examination of women with symptoms of a condition or when there is an abnormal result of screening. Finds its use especially to diagnose a condition and evaluate a specific area of concern.

By Technology

• 2D Digital Mammography – Standard digital X-ray that produces a single flat image of the breast.
• 3D Digital Mammography (Tomosynthesis or Digital breast tomosynthesis) – An Advanced method that creates a 3D view of the breast, which improves the rate of cancer diagnosis, especially in dense breast tissue.
• Contrast-enhanced Mammography, also known as Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography, is a special diagnostic evaluation that uses an iodine-based intravenous contrast dye that highlights tumors based on increased blood flow, offering a more detailed evaluation when compared to magnetic resonance imaging.