Mammogram

Method

• The breast tissue must be reduced in thickness as much as possible to achieve the best images of the underlying structures within the breast.
• The breast tissue is compressed to allow an optimal image of breast tissue while at the same time minimising the radiation dose needed to obtain an adequate image.
• The mammogram may cause discomfort for some women, however the process lasts only a few seconds and the degree of compression is tailored to suit individual patients' sensitivity.
• A mammogram study at Breast Imaging comprises of two or three standard views of each breast and additional views may subsequently be taken to clarify the appearances seen on the routine mammogram study.
• Additional views (sometimes called magnification or spot views) are very common and they are usually obtained at the time the mammogram is performed.

Use

• The mammogram study is the central component in evaluating patients who have a clinical problem with the breasts and remains the basis of work at Breast Imaging.
• The mammogram study is also used for routine breast cancer screening in women with no symptoms or breast abnormalities.
• Breast Imaging is a diagnostic rather than a screening clinic and the majority of patients who come to our clinic have a problem in the breast which needs to be resolved through imaging or biopsy.
• Breast Imaging also performs yearly screening mammograms on many women.
• Current government guidelines suggest routine screening of all women aged 50 - 69 every two years. This is the basis of the breast screening programmes conducted throughout Australia.
• There is increasing evidence that screening mammograms are beneficial in women aged 40-49 in addition to the 50 - 69 age group. Also, there is further evidence to suggest that screening mammograms should be conducted every year rather than every two years.
• Breast Imaging recommends all women over 40 have a mammogram once a year.
• Women who have a strong family history of breast cancer benefit from routine screening mammogram studies.
• Breast Imaging recommends women with a first degree relative start having screening mammograms approximately 5 years prior to the age of diagnosis of breast cancer in their relative, or at age 40.

Time

• The mammogram at Breast Imaging takes between 15 and 30 minutes depending on the number of images and spot magnification films needed for the study.