What are the common methods of breast examination?

Generally, women's breasts will begin to develop at around the age of twelve, and are basically mature at around the age of sixteen. Breast examinations generally include molybdenum target X-rays, far-infrared examinations, ultrasound examinations, etc. The best time to perform a breast examination is about one week after menstruation. The breasts are relatively dormant about one week after menstruation, so it is easy to check for lesions at this time.

1. Molybdenum target X-ray

Molybdenum target X-ray is a more advanced method of breast examination. It is a specific examination for breast tissue. Molybdenum target X-ray examination of the breast has a relatively high disease elimination rate and good clarity. It can usually detect whether there is hyperplasia or tumor, and whether the tumor is benign or malignant. However, far-infrared breast examination is slightly worse.

Molybdenum target X-ray examination can relatively reliably distinguish between benign breast lesions and malignant tumors, detect breast cancer at an early stage, and even detect latent breast cancer that cannot be detected clinically. It is not suitable for pregnant women or women who are menstruating.

Equipment used: Breast X-ray (molybdenum target) machine

The operation process of molybdenum target X-ray examination: the examiner needs to first use a special board to squeeze and fix your breasts, and then take pictures. Generally, the pictures are taken from different angles up and down, left and right, and the number of pictures varies from 4 to 6.

2. Far infrared inspection

Breast far-infrared examination is mainly used for early detection and differentiation of mastitis, breast hyperplasia, breast fibroids, breast cancer, etc. There are generally no taboo groups of people.

Instrument used: Breast far infrared detector

The operation process of far-infrared breast examination: the patient is required to take off his top and expose his breasts. The doctor moves the probe of the far-infrared examination device along the breasts on both sides to see if there are any lesions in the breasts under X-ray.

Note: Because breast examination requires exposing both breasts, you should wear easy-to-remove clothing on your upper body to facilitate the examination.

Women can choose between these two breast examination methods according to their age and specific circumstances or following the doctor's advice. Examination is necessary but not too frequent to avoid harming their health.

3. Ultrasound examination

Breast ultrasound has poor sensitivity for early, hard-to-reach breast cancers. Color ultrasound can significantly improve sensitivity.

Normal breast ultrasound values:

The accuracy of ultrasound diagnosis of breast cancer is 85% to 92%. Ultrasound below 5 MHz has a very poor sensitivity for early-stage breast cancer that is difficult to reach (49.2%). The use of high-resolution 7.5 MHz or 5 to 10 MHz ultrasound and color ultrasound can significantly improve the sensitivity.

Clinical significance of breast ultrasound examination:

1. Determine whether there is a lump in the breast and its size and location

2. Determine whether the mass is cystic or solid

3. Identify whether a breast lump is benign or malignant

4. Interventional ultrasound applications: ultrasound-guided puncture cytology and tissue biopsy, etc.

5. Follow-up examination of breast tumors and postoperative examination to observe the effect of conservative treatment of breast cancer.