Do you know when to look for a mastologist? This professional, so important for women’s health, as well as the gynecologist, needs to be included in the annual check-up list, especially after the age of 40 – recommended age for performance of the mammogramtest that identifies the breast cancer. But what does the mastologist care for? What is the difference between this specialty and Gynecology? We interviewed the mastologist Gustavo Zucca-Mathes who clarified all doubts on the subject.
Mastology: what is this specialty? What is she about?
“Mastology is a medical specialty that studies breast diseases. It is a relatively young branch, which was born in 2002 in Brazil, and involves an area of intersection between specialties, such as Gynecology, Oncology, Radiology and Plastic Surgery”, explained the professional.
What is the difference between the mastologist and the gynecologist? Know when to look for each professional
The difference is that the gynecologist is the specialist who deals with women’s genital problems in general. “Both the internal and external organs, such as the uterus, ovary, vulva and vagina. In the past, this doctor also addressed the health of the breasts, but with the birth of the Mastology specialty, the professional responsible for treating breast diseases became the mastologist”, says Dr. Gustavo.
Of course, a gynecologist can also assist with the treatment of any breast problem, but the professional will not have the same depth of knowledge on the subject as a mastologist.
When to look for a mastologist? Understand the importance of seeing this doctor
Dr. Gustavo says that many people, for not knowing what Mastology is, fail to include this specialty in their health care routine. The doctor details the relevance of this profession: “The specialist offers differentiated knowledge to the patient who has doubts related to the mammary gland. The mastologist will not only assess the chance of breast cancer, he will also assess whether there is a malformation, whether he can help with the aesthetic part of the breast, how he can contribute to some pain medication or even the size of the breasts”.
In general, a mastologist can be consulted at any age, but normally this demand takes place from adolescence onwards, puberty time, when breast development takes place. The frequency of consultations will depend on the profile of each patient: “For those who are being followed up without any illness, the ideal thing is for the visit to happen once a year. Now, if the patient has any changes, this frequency should change every three or six months”.
Tip of the mastologist: do the breast self-exam
The main recommendation given by any mastologist is to know your body. “The patient should understand her breast since adolescence, doing a daily self-examination. In this way, it is possible to identify changes caused by hormonal changes, with the post-menstrual period (from five to ten days after menstruation) being the best for detecting any problem”, advises Dr. Gustavo.
Source: cuidadospelavida.com.br
