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Breast Ultrasound: Detecting Breast Abnormalities in Real Time
Abnormalities around the breast areas can be warning signs that
point to the possible onset of breast cancer. Monthly self-breast
examination is the first line of detection that can be applied in
order to prevent the cancer from advancing. Not many women do self-
breast examination for various reasons; one of which is that some of
them do not know how to do it. Add to that the fact that certain
breast abnormalities come and go especially around the time of
menstruation. Hence, it becomes difficult to distinguish if
abnormalities are due to menstruation or not.
The truth is that self-breast examination can help save lives. Early
detection of breast cancer can very well start with self-breast
examination followed by more advanced diagnostic tests in order to
determine how fast the cancer is spreading.
While the causes of breast cancer remain unknown, there are factors
that are known to contribute to its existence. Diet plays a big part
and it is believed that women who consume a diet rich in fat are
more prone to the disease. Another possible factor is the history of
cancer in the family.
Contrary to popular belief, breast cancer is not caused by blows or
resulting bruises to the breast. Since there are no definite
explanations of the causes of breast cancer, the one thing that
remains true is that early detection can spell the difference
between life and death among women. That’s not to say that men are
on the clear when it comes to breast cancer; since men and women’s
breast have the same tissue structure, it is very possible that men
can get breast cancer, albeit the disease is more common on women.
Lumps that don’t go away, pulling of the skin, nipple discharge,
change in breast contour or shape, breast tenderness, nipple
scaliness and retraction, and dimpling of the skin are just a few
examples of breast abnormalities. They can easily be detected during
self-breast examination. They are telltale signs that there is
something going on inside the body and that a proper diagnostic test
should be done immediately.
One of the tests that can be applied is the breast ultrasound. The
procedure makes use of high-frequency sound waves that are then able
to map the internal structures of the breast. That way, the
abnormalities can be viewed and some conclusive diagnosis can be
had. The good thing about the procedure is that it is non-invasive.
This means that the breast will not be subjected to any pain. Since
the breast ultrasound happens in real time, the results can be had
in a matter of minutes.
All it needs is that the images be read and analysed by an expert.
The beauty of having the results of diagnostics immediately is that
the doctor can recommend a more advanced testing (such as
Mammography) or can actually start with the appropriate treatment.
Of course, it should be emphasized that for a more serious
situation, a more advanced and definitive diagnostic test should be
carried out.
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