Is mammography alone not enough to detect breast cancer, know what is the opinion of doctors?

Women all over the world get this test done for breast checkup. But experts say that all women should not depend on mammogram for breast test because it is not effective for many women, especially in a country like India.

Actually, the pattern of breast cancer among women in India is quite different from that of the western countries. Here this disease starts from an early age and the breast tissue is more dense in women. Also, the facilities for its treatment and detection are very less here. In India this problem starts from the age of 45 whereas in the West it starts from 55.

Doctors say that mammogram works better in fatty breast tissue. But due to dense breasts in Indian women, early symptoms of cancer are missed during this test or wrong reports are received. Therefore it is not beneficial.

In such a situation, doctors say that in a country like India, the option of ultrasound is better. Also, women should also do self breast examination.

Breast cancer has become the most common cancer in India today and is spreading rapidly in comparison to the West. In such a situation, 40 to 50 percent of women die due to non-diagnosis or late detection of this disease.

A research by Tata Memorial Hospital found that even when mammogram was combined with clinical breast examination, correct detection could not be done and deaths continued to occur. At the same time, the study of Sanjay Gandhi PGI shows that if women do self breast examination every month, then they can identify the changes early and get them treated immediately.

Also, doctors say that women should examine their own breasts every month and pay attention to any lumps or changes in the nipples. Apart from this, if any problem arises, get targeted imaging done.