Since, unfortunately, this is not the property of the entire female population, it is time to dispel some myths that accompany the examination and proceed to the annual mammographic examination without basic questions, which are answered by Mr. Menelaos Kalogeris Radiologist, Scientific Director of the Healthspot diagnostic centers:

I don’t do a mammogram because there is no history in my family

Myth: 75% of women who get breast cancer have no family history, so this myth is extremely dangerous for women. Truly hereditary cancer, i.e. that which has a genetic background, affects only 5-8% of women and they are those who have a mutation of 2 main genes.

The mammogram hurts, so I don’t go for it

Myth: Many women feel discomfort or even pain during mammography, but they should know that the correct pressure applied to the breast during mammography, which is now automatically determined by modern mammography systems, is directly proportional to the quality of mammography, so bad pressure means bad quality mammography and the main thing is that the pressure is inversely proportional to the radiation the woman receives. That is, the better the breast is pressed, the less radiation the patient receives.

Radiation from mammography can cause cancer

True in part: There is a nugget of truth in this, because it concerns an infinitesimal percentage of women examined over a number of years, as speaking about the radiation dose, a mammogram contains 70 mrem, that is:

– as much cosmic radiation as we get in two and a half months circulating in the environment
– how much we get during 4 months staying in our house from radon when the house is not well ventilated
– how much cosmic radiation we receive during a three-hour plane journey

Why should I choose the Breast Center at Healthspot Diagnostic Centers*?

Healthspot diagnostic centers differ first of all in cutting-edge technology. And the breast surgeons at Healthspot are all hospital-certified breast surgeons with vast clinical experience, the breast radiologists also meet all the criteria set by the European breast imaging company and the main criterion is that they “read” over 3,000 mammograms per year. Also, a woman who will come to Healthspot to check her breast has at her disposal the whole diagnostic approach of the breast from simple mammography, genetic testing, biopsy, to consultative clinical oncology assessment.

*The HealthSpot diagnostic centers are located in Kifissia, Peristeri, Glyfada, Piraeus, Rafina, Santorini and Mykonos (My Clinic) and belong to the Hellenic Healthcare Group, the largest group providing health services in Greece (Health, Metropolitan Hospital, Mitera, Metropolitan General, Leto, Creta InterClinic).