Mammography Machine

Digital Mammography

Services | Mammography

Mammography is a simple safe xray examination of the breasts. Mammography is the best way to detect breast cancer at its earliest stages. A mammogram can show a small cancer up to two years before it can be felt as a lump. A mammogram can help determine whether or not a lump is cancer. The great majority of breast lumps turn out to be harmless.

Approximately 10% of all breast cancers will not be identified by mammography alone. Ultrasound is often used in conjunction with mammography to give the best detection rate possible. A normal mammogram should not influence the decision to biopsy if there is a suspicious clinical abnormality.

Two radiologists interpret and double read the mammograms. Mammographic equipment and processes are subject to quality assurance programmes to ensure examinations of a high standard.

What to Expect?

A trained technologist will take two pictures of each breast. Occasionally extra pictures may be required to take a closer look at a region of the breast not seen clearly on the first images.

A special devise is used to compress the breast tissue to produce a more uniform thickness. It may feel uncomfortable because each breast is held quite firmly for a few seconds while the xray is taken. Most women find mammography uncomfortable, but do not consider it painful.

Preparation

You can eat and drink as normal on the day of your examination. It is important not to use any talcum powder or deodorant under your arms or around your breasts as this can produce an artefact on the mammogram film.

It is best if you wear a two piece garment to your mammogram.

Please bring with you any previous mammograms that you have had performed.

This is extremely important because any changes in the breast tissue may indicate early problems. There is no way of telling whether your breast tissue has changed since your last mammogram if we do not have the previous films.