Mammography: Treatment, Effect & Risks

A mammogram is a radiological examination, particularly of the female breast, used for early cancer detection. Known since 1927, the procedure is recommended for women over the age of 50 to have a mammogram every two years as part of their cancer screening.

What is a mammogram?

Mammography is an examination method for the early detection of breast cancer (mammary carcinoma), the most common cancer in women in Germany. During a mammogram, the human breast is examined radiologically. In most cases, this involves the female breast, but the male breast can also be examined by means of a mammogram. The procedure is performed with the help of special X-ray equipment and is used primarily for early cancer detection or in cases of suspected cancer. In most cases, the examination is preceded by the palpation of a change, for example a lump or other hardening in the breast tissue. Due to a high tissue density in the breast at a young age, mammography is rarely performed in women under 50. After the age of 50, on the other hand, it is recommended to have a mammogram every two years to avoid possible breast cancers.

Function, effect, and goals

A mammogram is performed in specially equipped medical offices or clinics. Because it is a radiological examination, the procedure uses radiation, similar to conventional X-rays, to produce an image of the inside of the breast. A mammogram uses so-called soft radiation, which allows the radiologist to make more accurate images of the tissue. In this way, changes that are not yet palpable can often be detected – especially in the case of breast cancer, patients thus gain valuable time that can be used for successful therapy. To obtain such detailed and informative images of the tissue, the breast is imaged from several directions. For this purpose, the affected breast is fixed between the X-ray table and a glass plate. Many patients find this uncomfortable; however, it is necessary in order to obtain optimal examination results with the lowest possible radiation dose. In this way, it is possible either to image the entire breast or only a specific part. The latter is particularly useful if a change has already been palpated, as this allows the affected area to be specifically examined. As already mentioned, mammography is used either in cases of suspected cancer or as part of early cancer detection. According to statistics, the latter has reduced breast cancer mortality by up to 30%. For this reason, women over 50 are regularly invited to undergo mammography. The aim of this program is to significantly extend the life expectancy of breast cancer patients and to detect and fight the cancer at an early stage. Only specially trained radiologists are entrusted with performing and evaluating mammograms to avoid misinterpretations and resulting false diagnoses.

Risks and hazards

A mammogram cannot prevent the development of cancer and detects it only at the tumor-forming stage. It is impossible to predict whether a woman will actually benefit from the sometimes unpleasant examination, because it cannot be determined in advance to what extent she is or is not exposed to a specific cancer risk. Critics also emphasize that regular exposure to radiation through radiological examinations can, at least theoretically, promote tumor growth. Younger women in particular, in whom the breast tissue is still very dense, are subject to the risk of a possible misdiagnosis if a mammogram is performed on them. In this way, a harmless tissue change may be mistaken for a malignant tumor – in the worst case, an unnecessary surgical removal of the same may follow, leaving permanent marks on the affected breast. This can significantly impair the quality of life of an otherwise perfectly healthy woman. For this reason, greater emphasis is placed on ensuring that only very intensively trained physicians perform and evaluate mammograms. Mammography is still a partly controversial examination, which is also associated with high costs.However, proponents stress that the benefits of mammography outweigh the risks and inconveniences of the procedure.