This procedure is an x-ray examination of the breast with usually both breasts imaged.
Mammography is carried out by very highly trained and experienced radiographers on carefully maintained equipment. This ensures the best possible result with the least inconvenience and discomfort to the patient.
There are many indications for this procedure and your doctor will have explained why this examination will be of benefit to you. It is important to bring any previous x-rays and results of mammograms or ultrasounds of the breast, to your examination.
The equipment used is very specialised and not available in all practices, so you may be referred to a particular location to have your mammogram.
Preparation
You will be asked to change into a gown, which can be opened at the front for ease of examination. For comfort purposes, it is a good idea to wear a two-piece outfit for the procedure.
Do not wear talcum powder or deodorant on the day of your examination as these show on the x-ray films and may cause confusing shadows.
Examination Time
The films are usually taken with the patient standing, resting against the machine.
The breast needs to be compressed as much as possible against the machine to ensure no movement and good imaging. Films are taken in two or three different positions to display ALL parts of the breast, from the back to the underlying ribs. It is important that all parts of the breast are examined.
There may be some discomfort during the compression of the breast, it may even be painful, but this is only for a short time and it is emphasised that compressing the breast is VERY IMPORTANT and ESSENTIAL to the success of the examination.
After the initial series of films are taken, these are viewed by the radiologist (a specialist trained to read x-rays, in this case especially mammograms). The radiologist may need to physically examine you to compare the films with any tenderness or lump you may have.
The radiologist may then ask for further films. This is not uncommon and should not alarm you. The examination is important and must be thorough. Sometimes the radiologist may request an ultrasound to clarify a feature on the mammogram or where the mammogram does not show a "lesion" despite a clinically suspicious "lump".
After all the necessary films have been taken, you may wait for the films and results or they can be delivered to your doctor.
It is not uncommon for some bruising to appear on the breast a few days after a mammogram, therefore do not be alarmed.
If you have breast implants please notify the reception staff and radiographer. In women with implants we frequently perform an ultrasound first to assess the state of the implant prior to mammography. Additional mammograms are required including “push back views” and as such the appointment may take longer. There should be no risk of rupture related to the procedure of mammography alone.