What is a mammogram?
A m a m m o g r a m i s a d i s t i n c t t y p e o f m e d i c a l i m a g i n g o f t h e b r e a s t s t h a t u s e s l o w d o s e x - r a y s t o r e v e a l t u m o u r s b e f o r e t h e y b e c o m e large enough for you to feel.
Why do I need to have this procedure?
Yo u r p h y s i c i a n h a s p r o b a b l y a s k e d t o y o u t o h a v e a m a m m o g r a m b e c a u s e y o u m a y b e a t h i g h r i s k o f o r h a v e t h e s y m p t o m s o f b r e a s t c a n c e r. S o m e o f t h e s e s y m p t o m s i n c l u d e a l u m p , n i p p l e d i s c h a r g e , a n d b r e a s t p a i n A m a m m o g r a p h y m i g h t a l s o b e p e r f o r m e d t o f u r t h e r e v a l u a t e a n a b n o r m a l f i n d i n g i n t h e breast.
M a m m o g r a m s a r e c r u c i a l i n t h e d e t e c t i o n o f c a n c e r i n w o m e n a b o v e t h e a g e o f 4 0 a n d c u r r e n t i n t e r n a t i o n a l g u i d e l i n e s s u g g e s t a s c r e e n i n g m a m m o g r a m s h o u l d b e p e r f o r m e d yearly.
How can I prepare for the procedure?
You should not apply any deodorant, lotion, or t a l c u m p o w d e r u n d e r y o u r a r m s o r o n y o u r breasts on the day of the procedure as they can appear as calcium spots on the mammogram.
Yo u w i l l b e g i v e n a g o w n t o w e a r d u r i n g t h e procedure.
be removed prior to your exam.
B r i n g a l l p r e v i o u s m a m m o g r a m s w i t h y o u s o that your physician can compare them with your current exam.
Wo m e n s h o u l d a l w a y s l e t t h e i r p h y s i c i a n o r technologist if there is a possibility that they are p r e g n a n t b e c a u s e t h e x - r a y s c a n h a r m y o u r baby.
How is the procedure performed?
Yo u w i l l b e p o s i t i o n e d o n t h e m a m m o g r a p h y unit. Depending on the type of machine, you will either be sitting or standing.
One breast at a time will be placed on a special x - r a y p l a t e a n d a d e v i c e k n o w n a s a compressor will be pressed against your breast to help level the breast tissue so that any small a b n o r m a l i t i e s d o n o t r e m a i n h i d d e n . T h i s p r o c e s s i s a l s o n e c e s s a r y t o h o l d t h e b r e a s t firm and eliminate blurring of the image
Your technologist will stand behind a glass shield during the procedure. A top-to-bottom image and side view image will be taken from both breasts.
Once this is completed, your technologist will ask you to wait until the radiologist, a physician trained to use medical imaging to diagnose and treat diseases, determines that you do not need to take an additional angle or have an ultrasound.
R e m o v e a l l m e t a l o b j e c t s s u c h a s j e w e l l e r y, e y e g l a s s e s , d e n t u r e s a n d h a i r p i n s . T h e s e objects can affect medical images and should
The entire process is usually completed within 30 minutes.
W h a t w i l l I e x p e r i e n c e d u r i n g a n d a f t e r the procedure?
Yo u w i l l f e e l p r e s s u r e o n y o u r b r e a s t a s i t i s s q u e e z e d b y t h e c o m p r e s s o r. Wo m e n w i t h s e n s i t i v e b r e a s t s m a y e x p e r i e n c e a d d i t i o n a l d i s c o m f o r t a n d s h o u l d s c h e d u l e t h e mammogram when their breasts are the least tender.
Yo u s h o u l d i m m e d i a t e l y i n f o r m t h e technologists if you experience any pain as the pressure on the breast is increased.
Who interprets my results and how do I get them?
A radiologist will analyse your results and send a signed report to your primary care or referring physician, who will share the results with you.
Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre
7A Block R-3, Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92 42 3594 5100 Ext 2496 | Fax: +92 42 3594 5144
www shaukatkhanum org pk