Mammogram or Ultrasound

Both of these examination methods complement each other. Ultrasound is primarily used for young women; however, for women over the age of 40 mammography is the preferred choice. The ultrasound is better for younger women because their breasts are made up of a greater amount of denser connective tissuethat encase the fragile mass of the milk ducts themselves. With advancing age, the connective tissue is replaced by fat. The speed of this variable process is individual, being faster in some women and slower in others. Ultrasound beams can better reveal the density of the connective tissue that predominates in the breast tissue of young women. The mammogram can better deal with a predominantly fatty tissue of the mammary gland, which is typical for middle- aged and older women..

Each part of the two basic components of the breast, tissue; therefore, has its "own" preferred diagnostic device. In this regard, breast diagnostics in the hands of a qualified team are an excellent tool for detecting optimistic early stages of cancer and, thus, reducing mortality due to breast cancer..