What is Mammography? 

A mammogram is a special X-ray image of the breast. Two X-rays are taken for each breast. The X-rays are usually done by a trained woman radiographer. The mammograms are then reported by a radiologist.
 

Is Mammography Safe for Me?

Mammography is the most effective, non invasive and the best way to detect early breast cancer especially when it is too small to be felt by the patient or the doctor. For this reason, breast screening is now available to all women aged 40 and above. Mammography complements but cannot replace monthly breast self examination (BSE) and regular physical examination.
 

Is Mammography Painful?

Mammography is usually not painful but may be uncomfortable especially in women with smaller breasts. Each breast is gently squeezed and flattened by a special device when the x-ray images are taken. This lasts for a few seconds and will not harm the breast. The entire examination will take approximately half an hour.
 

When Should I Go For a Mammogram?

The recommendation for a mammogram will depend on various factors:

• Risk profile (for example strong family history, dense breasts, previous history of breast cancer, hormone replacement therapy post menopause)
• The individual’s concept and understanding and preferences
• Presence of symptoms or signs or suspicions of presence of cancer, no matter the age group

Regular mammograms can be done from 40 years and above in the absence of signs or symptoms. The baseline can be done slightly earlier should the risk profile require it. As for the interval, every one 1 to 2 years depending on the findings of the mammograms. Before embarking on mammograms, you should discuss the pros and cons of mammograms and understand the procedure’s capabilities and drawbacks (in other words, properly counselled to understand what you will be testing for and how it will be done). This is best done with a radiologist who is familiar with breast imaging and regularly practises this modality of imaging.

Therefore, the intervals for countries such as Malaysia will be individualised. It is common after the age of 50 years, in the absence of suspicious findings or probably benign findings to have mammograms at 2 year intervals. Closer follow up with or without complementary tests such as ultrasound may be needed depending on what your mammogram with/without additional tests find.
 

Can I have a mammogram if I am younger than 35 years old?

Symptomatic women, that is women who have signs or symptoms related to the breast like a lump, nipple discharge, mastalgia (breast pain), unexplained decrease or increase in breast size or appearance, will require a mammogram to resolve the particular problem. There is no age limit when there is a symptom or sign in your breast. The above guidelines are for women without any symptoms or signs of breast problems.
 

How many Mammogram views of the breast will be taken?

Normally 2 views of each breast are taken. If there is some finding in your mammogram or in relation to your breast symptom and sign, sometimes additional images will be required where the abnormal area seen on the mammogram is further compressed to give a clearer picture or an supplementary view in a slightly different position is done.
 

What if I have a breast implant, can I still have a mammogram done?

It is vital that you inform the radiographer if you have a breast implant. Special views may be necessary for the assessment to allow as much of the breast to be viewed on the mammograms. Special care is also taken with regards to compression. However, you must remember that once you have an implant, it will obscure (block) visualization of parts of your breast, sometimes, with only a small portion of your breast tissue being available for imaging. This will depend on the size of the implant and the position of the implant. Therefore, the ability of the mammogram to pick up abnormalities of the breast is much lower than in a “normal” breast.
 

What happens if there is some abnormality on my mammogram?

A palpable lump or an abnormality detected on screening mammogram may require further examination like breast ultrasound or special mammographic procedures such as stereotactic guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), core biopsy or wire localization.
 

Is Mammography Perfect?

Mammography may be the key to successful treatment and cure of the disease. However, mammography can fail in detection of some cancers since not all breast cancers produce a recognizable change in the mammogram and this occurs more often when the woman has dense breast tissue. Palpable cancers are not always visible and visible cancers are not always palpable.

In the best of hands, mammograms therefore can miss 10% of cancers.
 

How Do I Prepare for a Mammogram?

No special preparation is required for a mammogram. However, it is advisable to wear separates (two piece garments) – sarong, skirt or pants with a button-through top. This is helpful for the mammographic positioning and also for an ultrasound examination, if needed. The women are advised not to use deodorant, talcum powder or perfume which may cause artifacts on the X-ray film and which may require a repeat examination. You may wish to schedule a mammogram after your period (menses) is over if you have premenstrual breast engorgement and pain.

Early Detection
Can Save Your
Life!

Where indicated, mammography is safe for you. Pain may be slight but always momentary only.

Do remember that mammography is not perfect as is the case in any investigation in Medicine. However, it is still (in 2002) the best tool available for screening breast cancer.