Mammography

Question: Where can you find a Digital Mammography machine in the philippines? Where can you find a digital mammography machine in the philippines and how much does it cost?

Answer: A digital mammography machine can cause several thousands of dollars. As for where to find one in the Philippines one place to check is at some of the hospitals such as those affiliated with the Medical Schools.

Question: What are the physical demands of Radiology/Mammography? I am going back to college and majoring in Radiology. I then plan on specializing in mammography. I have a pinched nerve and a herniated disc in my lower back. This condition has not improved in 3 years since my accident. I was wondering what the physical demands of mammography are on a daily basis and if it would be possible to perform the job with my back condition.

Answer: All specialities performed in radiologist or specialist offices routinely examine ambulatory patients. If you specialize in mammography, you can easily do that as there is no heavy lifting. Densitometry is another area you could also specialize in as it also requires no heavy lifting. Ultrasound is another speciality you could easily handle if you worked in an office. You can also do MRIs and cat scans in doctors offices. You can perform routine radiography in a radiologists office or an orthopaedics office and it would not be overly taxing on your back (ambulatory patients.) Really the only non-strenuous exams you can consistently perform in hospitals are mammograms and densitometry exams because those pieces of equipment are not portable and the patients are ambulatory. Just stay away from hospitals which is where you run into wheel chair patients, stretcher patients and portable exams. Ultrasound (in hospitals) is portable which means the technologist has to push the unit from the imaging department to the patients room, emergency room or to surgery, lot of pushing there. In addition, simple chest x-rays can turn into a nightmare if you have a wheel chair or stretcher patient. Stick to any thing that you can do in a doctor's office. Or, consider portable MRI or portable densitometry. They are transported in semi-trucks and the patient walks into the truck to have the study done. Again, those are ambulatory patients. So, there are actually quite a few avenues available to you in radiography. Good luck. remember to vote

Question: My doctor found a lump on my breast, my mammography is scheduled for tuesday. What should i expect? Im 29 years old, no kids, my mom has breast cancer, my great-grandmother too and she died because of it. I used to smoke, what are my chances to have cancer? What doctors do in a mammography? Does it hurt?

Answer: Im sorry that breast cnacer runs in your family, and a lump on your breast is most likely breast cancer. if it is cancer, its a good thing that your doctor found in now and not later. And when you get a mammogram the breast is placed between an Xray platform and cover and pressure is placed down on it. It can be painful but is worth it in the end if cancer is found. Best wishes to you. This site probably explains it better than i did. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6X_Mammography_and_other_Breast_Imaging_Procedures_5.asp

Question: who knows the mammography classes in Los Angeles? I am ARRT and intresting in short term classes mammography tech.If some one know please give me any ninformation. Thank You!

Answer: A RT will usually learn mammography on the job, and take the ARRT and CRT(M) registry exams. I have never heard of a mammography educational program. We self study and perform mammograms, under the direct supervision of a registed mammographer, and gain experience that way. Are you working as a RT right now? If so, talk to mammographers in your department, and get advice from them.

Question: If a doctor schedules a woman for mammography and she is under 35 is that malpractice? If I am a woman under 35 and a doctor tells me to have a mammogram and then a surgeon says that that mammography for women under 35 is an ineffective tool and then studies show that women under 35 can get breast cancer from that mammography, and I get cancer after the mammograph, is that medical malpractice?

Answer: The risk of causing cancer with low-dose mammography is vanishingly small. There are some reasons to obtain mammograms for a woman at age 35, though not for routine screening. If you do have mammograms make sure they are "digital." There was a large study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine this year demonstrating that digital mammography is a superior study for women under the age of 50. From that paper: "Conclusions: The overall diagnostic accuracy of digital and film mammography as a means of screening for breast cancer is similar, but digital mammography is more accurate in women under the age of 50 years, women with radiographically dense breasts, and premenopausal or perimenopausal women." Aloha

Question: Who invented the first mammography machine? It was created in the early 1920s, but I cannot find anything about the inventor. I have looked, but found nothing. Sources would be appreciated.

Answer: X-rays were used until 1966 when the first mammography machine was developed. Albert Salomon is considered to be the inventor of breast radiology.

Question: How to specialize in Mammography? I am planning to attend classes to become a Radiologic Technician. That is a 2 year program. Is there a progression to Mammography or can you just go straight into Mammography with an RT Associate Degree?

Answer: When I graduated from RT school, in the early '90s, you had to be ARRT licensed (this is the national license for radiologic technologists) for one full year before you could take your mammography license. But, you were allowed to work under other licensed mammographers to get your experience. There are no formal mammographer education programs out there. It is learned on the job. You can check out the ARRT website, and see if you can find any information there: http://www.arrt.org/index.html?content=about/mission.htm Oh, here ya go. At this site, there is information regarding mammography licensing. Page 23 talks about what you are required to complete before taking your mammography licensing exam: http://www.arrt.org/publications/2007-handbook-mammography.pdf

Question: What is best to do if u suspect of a lump in ur breast, a mammography or a biopsy? I have discovered a small lump on my breast wayback in college, now am close to 40 yrs old..bfore a doctor recommended me for a biopsy, but didnt sumbit it yet, lately, my obgyne recommended for a mammography. So far, i feel the lump did not grow or havent felt any pain on my breast.

Answer: I would go in for a mammogram first, as it is less invasive. If there is something suspicious, then a biopsy seems appropriate. You can always seek out a second opinion as well, which is a sound medical decision in these types of situations.

Question: How often should you get a mammography? I'm still nursing my 2 yr old so it's been a while for me. The last physical exam was fine. Do I still need a mammo? I'm 32, non smoker, healthy person. Would this interfere with my breast milk? My child has been eating regular foods for a long time. I nurse her as a bonus.

Answer: After age 25 you should get a mammogram every year. It's great that you are healthy, but who knows what's lurking in your genetics? It's a very unsure thing. 1 out of every 3 women will get breast cancer. That's a scary ratio! It's very important to have a mammogram every year! However, you should stop breast feeding when you get the mammograms. Do not nurse your child after you have one. Another option is to get a sonogram instead. This would be safe for your breast milk. Your child is two years old, so it would be okay for the child to stop breast feeding. The child doesn't need your milk any longer since her or she is starting to eat whole foods.

Question: How can I qualify for a free pap smear and mammography? I make 1600 a month I have a child and my husband is not working.

Answer: What country are you in? These things vary from country to country. In Australia pap smears are free from your local GP as are breast exams. A mammography is free if you are over 55. But then it is only required if a lump is found or tests are required for another problem. I used to be friends with a girl in the US who used to get her pap smears done at a Well Womens clinic. And I have read on hear that Planned Parenthood offers these services.

Question: Can a Diagnostic Radiologist do some Mammography without being specialized? Or Do you have to be specialized to do it? When I mean Mammography I'm talking about can they read them without having to specialize in Breast Health during their fellowship?

Answer: What are you talking about? Radiologists work is always diagnostic and they do not do mammograms they read them.

Question: I'm looking for more info on career in radiology (mammography, ultrasound, etc) as a tech. Any insight? I've searched the internet, the college catalog in my city, and a number of other places but haven't been able to find the info I'm looking for. Does anyone know what the qualifications are, what the schooling is, etc.? I'd appreciate any help! What about online certification? Is this an option? I already have an associates degree in communications. Whether or not this matters I don't know.

Answer: You can do 1 of 2 things. In the state of maryland you can go to Ultrasound Diagnostic School and get your certification in Sonography in about 2 years. By doing this you wont be able to take diagnostic xrays. My advice is to go to Xray school at you local college and get your Xray degree and cross-train in other modalities.

Question: My mom got a letter saying that there were some findings on her latest mammography? Should she be worried? She is 45 and a few weeks ago she had a breast exam and today she got a letter from a clinic saying that her latest exam showed some findings that may require more tests. It says that such findings are usually benign, but I cant help but be worried. Please let me know if this has happened to anyone you know or yourself. Thank you.

Answer: it is fine to b worried my wife had the same thing a few years ago luckily it was only fatty tissue and they removed it with no further problems but u have every right to worry some i wish her the best of luck

Question: Where I can download service manuals of different mammography? I need the service manual of a Bennett contour mammography

Answer: try here http://inpagez.com/browse/links/download/unfiled/17964/G Just make a search for anything you want to download - say service manuals of different mammography etc. You will find the links of webpages from where they can be downloaded. To further narrow down search, just click on the drop down section on search page

Question: how do you become a mammography technician? what sort of classes do you have to take in college to become one?

Answer: You become a radiologic technologist first, then train on the job. You can find accredited radiography schools here: http://www.jrcert.org/cert/Search.jsp More info: https://www.asrt.org/content/abouttheprofession/_AboutTheProfession.aspx

Question: What kind of training do you need to be a Mammography technologist?

Answer: You need to be a licensed radiologic technologist before you can take your licensing exams for mammography. Most x-ray programs are two years in length. There are college or hospital based programs. The following website has lists of accredited programs, organized by state. Seach "radiography" and your state for a listing: http://www.jrcert.org/cert/Search.jsp You can also go the the student/educator part of this website for additional information on the career of radiologic technology: http://www.asrt.org/Content/educators/_educatorsstudents.aspx Best wishes....

Question: What are some alternatives for a Mammography/ Mammogram ? Because i'm only 16 and i read i shouldn't do one until i'm 25 or so, and then only every couple of years... I'm just afraid i could have breast cancer, because i found a lump, and i would want check it out. Only serious answers, please ! Thank you for help. Ohh, i now saw that i wrote my age wron...i'm actually 19... does it make any difference?

Answer: Even for a 25 year old, it's very unlikely a doctor would order a mammogram; young women's breast tissue is too dense for mammography to a be a useful diagnostic tool That's one of the reasons routine mammograms begin at 40 (50 in the UK). The other is that the risk of breast cancer is remote. The chances of a 16 year old having breast cancer are just about zero. You are statistically more than twice as likely to be struck by lightning. Breast cancer is almost unheard of in under 25s (let alone teens), fewer than 0.1% of those diagnosed are under 30 and only 5% are under 40. Most (80%) are over 50. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer I was classed as a 'younger woman', because I was only 50 - still pretty young for breast cancer. Most breast lumps, even in women old enough for breast cancer, aren't cancerous - over 80% of breast lumps considered suspicious enough for testing are found to be benign. At your age any changes in your breasts, including lumps, are almost certainly normal hormonal development. Talk to your mother about this; and/or talk to your school nurse - she will be used to girls having worries like this and will be able to reassure you

Question: How much would a mammography cost if you had to pay for it?

Answer: I live in Northern California and I work for a free standing imaging center. We charge $250 for a screening mammogram, but the hospital in our town charges about $675! If you don't have insurance, please call around to facilities in your area. Prices will vary, not only from state to state, but they also vary greatly from facility to facility. You can also get help with the cost of mammograms from many agencies. In our town, we have a program called "Every Woman Counts." Contact your local Public Health Department for information about the types of programs available in your area. Best wishes......

Question: What are the benefits of breast compression during screening or diagnostic mammography...? Everyone knows that it's painful or at least terribly uncomfortable for ladies, but what are the specific benefits of compression radiography of the breast?

Answer: Mammograms Are Always Painful: Yes, But - A breast is a three-dimensional part of your body, and a sensitive one at that. A screening mammogram takes a two-dimensional x-ray of your breast. In order for the x-rays to effectively make the image, your breast tissue must be compressed and must be quite still. You can do three things to lessen the pain of a mammogram: use lidocaine gel in advance of your appointment to numb the breast, schedule your appointment about one week after your period starts, cut down on caffeine for two weeks prior to your mammogram, and request a comfort pad (if your clinic has these) to cushion your breast during the imaging process. Patients who participated in a study of the BioLucent MammoPad said that it reduced their breast pain by nearly half of what it would be without a pad or pain medication.

Question: I would like to become a mammography technician.? Anyone know of a how much schooling is involved and have personal experiences being one and would like to give some pointers. Thanks.

Answer: Mammography is a subspecialty of radiography. A mammographer MUST be a radiologic technologist (x-ray tech) before she can take her mammography boards. You must take the certification/board exam before you are licensed to take mammographic images. Most accredited schools of radiography are two year programs, either in a college setting or a hospital based program. You can get a list of schools in your state by going to your state's Department of Health website and searching for "radiologic technology programs." I enjoyed doing mammography. I work in a smaller community, so I developed a rapport with my patients, who came in year after year. In addition to doing screening mammo exams, we also do specialized views (magnification, cone compression for example) and we assist the radiologist in wire localization procedures or ductograms. I would say that if you were to get licensed and just exclusively do mammography, you might eventually get bored. For the most part, you are doing the same old two views on each breast, ALL DAY LONG! lol It would be like if you JUST took chest x-rays, and only chest x-rays. My most satisfying work experience was when I got to rotate: a week in x-ray, a week in CT, a week in mammo and a week in ultrasound. But, then again, some people like doing the same thing over and over again! To each their own.....Best wishes! You can get a list of accredited radiography programs here: http://www.jrcert.org/cert/Search.jsp