Mammography and Breast ultrasound are the two most important diagnostic tests for the periodic evaluation of the breast and its conditions. Their role is central in preventing breast cancer, the most common form of cancer among the female population.
If this form of cancer is the most diagnosed carcinoma in women, cure rates are increasing and mortality is decreasing. This is thanks primarily to prevention efforts, focused on well-defined protocols aimed at diagnosing the disease early and allowing for the most effective and least invasive treatment possible.
The difference between these two diagnostic methodologies lies in the technology they utilize. Breast ultrasound is based on the principle of ultrasound, while mammography works by emitting radiation. With the progress of technology, the most modern mammography machines are able to perform exams with extremely low doses of radiation.
Breast ultrasound allows for the detection and evaluation of any anomalies while sparing the patient the (albeit minimal) dose of radiation that characterizes mammography. This is possible in young women, due to the specific conformation of the breast.
Breast evolution
The female breast is indeed an organ characterized by continuous evolution. Throughout life stages (infancy, puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause), a woman’s breast undergoes a metamorphosis that changes its appearance and functionality.
During infancy, the breast has the same conformation in both sexes. With the onset of puberty, a woman’s breast begins a transformation process, thanks to the action of sex hormones produced by the ovaries. These hormones, estrogen, cause the gland to mature and the breast to increase in volume.
As the years go by, the mass of glandular adipose tissue increases. Simultaneously, the areola tends to enlarge and darken, while the nipples begin to protrude.
After pregnancy and any breastfeeding, the final phase of physiological breast evolution is menopause. During this period, the breast is characterized by the prevalence of adipose tissue over glandular tissue. With the fibroadipose involution of the glandular bodies, the breast evolves into a less compact and firm shape.
Differences between breast ultrasound and mammography
When to undergo breast ultrasound
For young women, it is recommended to undergo breast ultrasounds annually. This is the case if no nodules or changes in breast consistency and size have been identified, and if there is no family history of breast cancer. In these cases, it will be the specialist doctor who will assess the need for more frequent checks. When reaching the age of 50, it is advisable to undergo a mammogram every two years, increasing the frequency from the age of 70 in accordance with the attending physician.
