Mammography is a specific type of breast imaging using a low dose x-ray. Canterbury Breastcare offers the latest developments in mammography including Full Field Digital Mammography and Breast Tomosynthesis.
Full-Field Digital Mammography enables images to be viewed on high resolution computer screens. Breast Tomosynthesis creates a series of thin slices through the breast, improving cancer detection.
Regular Mammograms
What is a mammogram?
A Mammogram is a special breast X-ray which shows the glands, fat and blood vessels of the breast. There are two reasons for having a mammogram, Screening and as part of Diagnostic Breast Imaging.
Screening
Screening means looking for possible breast cancer when you have no signs or symptoms of breast disease.
Mammography can detect tiny changes in your breasts which you may not have noticed. These changes may be due to cancer and may be smaller than a grain of rice. 90% of breast cancers are detected by mammography. Early detection and treatment of small cancers greatly increases your chances of a better prognosis.
About 1 women in 10 will develop breast cancer at some time in her life.
The risk of breast cancer increases with age, 70% of breast cancers occur in women over 50.
The benefits of screening mammography have been proven in large international trials.
Yearly mammography is recommended for women 40-50 years of age. Women over the age of 50 years should have screening mammography every two years.
It may be appropriate that women with a family history of breast cancer start mammography at an eariler age, or have annual mammography.
Diagnostic Breast Imaging
Diagnostic Breast Imaging means looking at something in your breast that is worrying you or your doctor.
This includes:
A thickening or a lump
Skin dimpling or ulceration
Nipple discharge
Persistent nipple rash
Non cyclical or focal pain
Most of these changes will not be due to cancer, but you should see your doctor as soon as possible to arrange the necessary tests.
This type of mammogram can be done at any age but ultrasound may be performed first in women under thirty five yeas of age.
Are there any risks?
The X-ray process involves some exposure to radiation, however with modern equipment your exposure is very low. The benefits of finding and treating a breast cancer early far outweighs any risk for the X-ray itself.
What happens when I have a Mammogram?
You will be asked to undress from the waist up. Please wear a skirt of trousers if possible.
Each breast is examined separately. A female radiographer (a technologist who is an expert in the use of x-ray equipment) will examine your breast then carefully position your breasts on the X-ray machine. This has compression plates that flatten the breast tissue allowing the best images to be taken. You stand for the X-rays which only take a few minutes.
The test may be uncomfortable, but is usually not painful.
Usually two views of each breast are taken - one looking from above and the other from the side. Sometimes further X-rays are needed to show an area of the breast more clearly. Don't be concerned if this occurs.
Ultrasound may also be necessary to complete your examination. For this a small amount of warmed gel is placed on your breast and a probe is held against the skin. This is very similar to a pregnancy ultrasound examination and is painless and safe. Ultrasound is particularly useful in detecting cysts and evaluating breast lumps in younger women.
Your results
At Canterbury Breastcare, your images will be looked at by at least two radiologists (doctors specialising in medical diagnosis using X-rays). The result is sent to your GP and the images will be kept in our archive.
Before your mammogram
For your convenience, wear a two piece outfit, a skirt or trousers and a top.
Don't wear talcum powder or a deodorant as it may show on the images.
If your breasts are tender or sore before your period, you should try to arrange to have your mammogram just after your period finishes.
A standard mammogram takes approximately thirty minutes. However your examination may take 60 minutes longer if extra views and/or ultrasound are required. Please allow plenty of time.
If you need an examination by a breast surgeon, or a needle biopsy, Canterbury Breastcare can arrange this for you.
Want more information?
If you require further information about mammography, ask your doctor or phone Canterbury Breastcare on (03) 355 1194, our staff will be happy to help you.
Screening Mammography
A Screening Mammogram is a breast x-ray and is used to look for possible breast cancer when you have no signs or symptoms of breast disease. Mammography can detect tiny changes in your breasts which you may not have noticed. These changes may be due to cancer and may be smaller than a grain of rice. Early detection and treatment of small cancers greatly increases your chances of cure.
About 1 woman in 10 will develop breast cancer at some time in her life. The risk of breast cancer increases with age, 70% of breast cancers occur in women over 50 years of age.
The benefits of screening mammography have been proven in large international trials. Yearly mammography is recommended for women 40-50 years of age. Women over the age of 50 years should have screening mammography every two years. It may be appropriate that women with a family history of breast cancer start mammography at an earlier age, or have annual mammography.
Screening Mammography versus Screening Ultrasound
Screening Mammography uses small amounts of ionising radiation to produce an x-ray. Compression of the breast is necessary which may be uncomfortable for some women. Mammography produces high spatial resolution, resulting in good detail, and is the only form of imaging proven over time to reduce mortality from breast cancer. Newer technology (tomosynthesis) mammography is also increasingly used.
Ultrasound is a painless procedure, which involves a scanning probe passed over the breast, but is not as effective for screening as a mammogram. Microcalcifications are not able to be seen on ultrasound, and these may be the first indications of breast cancer. Another disadvantage of ultrasound is that it may find "false positives" (which do not turn out to be cancerous). Ultrasound is useful as a problem-solving tool to assess normal structures, and differentiate between fluid filled structures (cysts) and solid lesions.
For these reasons mammography is recommended for screening. However, if mammogram is not appropriate or not tolerated, ultrasound may be an option.
Mammography FAQs
If you have any breast concerns, you need to see your GP. Your GP will refer you for the appropriate diagnostic breast imaging service.
Common signs requiring further investigation by your doctor include