Nuclear Oncology

The discomfort of a mammogram

Women often disclaim to conduct a review of the breast, because of the inconvenience this causes, however, this can not be an excuse to neglect our health.

While this annoying ordeal could bring a solution. This is an anesthetic gel applied in the chest an hour before the test, rather than decrease the discomfort an anti-inflammatory or analgesic.

“Now we have something that we know reduces discomfort of this test. Faced with a more positive experience, we hope that more women should undergo regular mammograms,” says lead study author Colleen Lambertz.

Lidocaine gel is a local anesthetic that is used frequently to reduce the discomfort of many different surgical procedures and medical tests. Testing would also be effective if the mammogram was the purpose of the study was published in the journal Radiology. ”

“Mammography is the only diagnostic tool proven to reduce mortality from breast cancer in women over 40 years. This annual review is the most important option available for a woman to ensure early detection,” says medical director Department of Breast Care St. Luke’s Hospital, James R. Maxwell, in Chesterfield, Missouri, USA.

In the study, researchers administered placebo or premedication with acetaminophen, ibuprofen and lidocaine gel (4%) to 418 women aged between 32 and 89 years. The gel is applied to the skin of the chest and was removed from half hour to an hour before the test, so it had no effect on image quality.

The data showed that women felt less pain were those that had applied the gel: “Women can now control the situation. Schedule the appointment could go for a test at the time of the menstrual cycle when their breasts are least tender, apply the gel at home and go to the consultation knowing that they have taken the necessary steps for that test, they can be potentially life-saving a positive experience, “Lambertz proposed.