Information for patients > Services > Breast imaging
Breast Imaging and Mammography
Information for patients
It is perfectly understandable to be apprehensive when you arrive for an investigation, but staff at all our sites are kind, friendly, informative and helpful and will help you to feel relaxed and calm. The information below should give you a reasonable idea about how to prepare for your particular type of investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Breast imaging
What does mammography involve?
What is the difference between screening mammography and symptomatic mammography?
Does mammography cause any pain or discomfort?
What does mammography involve?
Mammography involves taking x-rays of each breast from two views, typically from above and from an oblique or angled view. If an abnormality is found on these images, further views may be taken to provide more information. Ultrasound and/or needle biopsy may prove to be necessary.
What is the difference between screening mammography and symptomatic mammography?
Screening mammography is performed on women with no breast complaints to detect aymptomatic breast disease. Research has shown that the early detection of small breast cancers by screening mammography greatly improves a woman's chances for successful treatment. Ladies over 40 years of age, who have not had a mammogram within the last year may refer themselves for this procedure.
Symptomatic mammography is performed on women who have a breast complaint, such as a breast lump found during self-examination, to establish the cause of the problem.
The mammographer positions the patient and images each breast separately. The breast is carefully positioned on a special film cassette and then gently compressed so that the maximum amount of tissue can be imaged and examined. X-rays are then radiated through the compressed breast, Highly sensitive imaging plates are used for mammography in order to create the highest quality images at the lowest exposure. The images of the internal structure of the breast enable the radiologist to distinguish between normal structures, such as fat, fibroglandular tissue, breast ducts and nipples, and any abnormalities.
Does mammography cause any pain or discomfort?
Breast compression is necessary to flatten the breast so that the maximum amount of tissue can be imaged and examined. Breast compression may cause some discomfort, but it only lasts for a brief time during the mammography procedure. Patients should feel firm pressure due to compression but no significant pain. If you feel pain, please inform the mammographer.
The risk of radiation damage to breast tissue from mammography is extremely small and is considered to be outweighed by the benefit of regular mammograms.
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