mammography

About Mammography

What is the test used for?
A mammogram is used to examine the internal structure of the breast ("mammary gland"). A specialised x-ray is obtained of the breast, and the x-ray films are interpreted by the radiologist.

The basic theory behind mammography is that different types of tissue stop x-rays by different amounts. In particular, breast cancers tend to stop x-rays much more than normal breast tissue. Also, some forms of breast cancer contain tiny flecks of calcium, which stop x-rays very well. These abnormal densities and certain sorts of calcification are what the radiologist searches for.

You should also be aware that sometimes the breast tissue of some women can also stop x-rays very efficiently. This means that occasionally abnormalities are hidden, or masked inside normal tissue. In particular, the breasts of younger women often appear very dense on mammograms.

You should also know that the mammogram is very good at detecting small and subtle abnormalities that develop over time. It is therefore, very important to bring previous mammograms with you. The radiologist is looking for small changes, which by themselves may be unremarkable, but may be very significant if they were not there one or two years ago.

Why would a man have a mammogram?
Men may have "lumps" in the breast, as women do. Most often, as with women, these lumps are not cancer, but caused by hormonal changes in the body. Rarely, a male breast lump may be malignant. One percent of all breast cancers occur in men.

What is the preparation for the test?
No perfume, deodorant or talcum powder to be used on the breast area. It is preferable to wear a two pieced outfit.

Will I have to undress?
You will be asked to remove the clothes from your upper body. You will be asked to change into a cotton gown, opened at the front.

Where will I be for the test?
You will be asked to sit on a stool in front of the mammogram machine.

How is the test done?
The test may be uncomfortable for some people, but should not be the cause of terrible pain. You should understand that a compression plate is placed on the breast for very good reasons: to allow x-rays to pass through a thinner region which will decrease the x-ray dose and increase the accuracy of the test, and to move different parts of the breast off other parts of the breast, thus revealing hidden structures.

To look at all parts of the breast, two standard views are obtained: one from the top ("cranio-caudal" or CC) and one from the side ("medio-lateral oblique" or MLO).

Depending on what is found from these two, other specialised views may be required. For example, if the radiologist wants to better look at a small area of calcification, a magnified view can be obtained. It is important that you should not be shocked or worried that other mammograms are obtained. Most of the time, the radiologist is trying to either get a better look at something, or trying to move overlapping parts of the breast away from each other. Having extra views taken is NOT necessarily a bad sign.

How long will it all take?
About 20 minutes.

And after the test?
You can get dressed and go home. The films and report will be delivered to your doctor. If you have to wait for your films and report, it may take over forty minutes for all the films to be processed and reported properly by the radiologist.

Does the test use radiation?
Ionising radiation is used, but mammography is a test that uses a very low dose. (See radiation page)