Mammography

What is mammography?
Mammography is a simple X-ray examination of the breasts. The images are viewed by a radiologist on film at a view box. Most medical experts agree that successful treatment of breast cancer is often linked to early diagnosis. The value of mammography lies in its ability to detect cancer in the breast when it is still small – often too small to be felt or detected in any other way.

Current guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the American Cancer Society(ACS), The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) recommend screening mammography every year for women, beginning at age 40.

When is mammography used?
Mammography is used to aid in the detection of breast diseases in women. Screening mammographycan assist your physician in the detection of disease even if you have no complaints or symptoms.

Diagnostic mammography is used to evaluate a patient with abnormal clinical findings, such as a breast lump, nipple discharge or “cystic” breasts that may have been noticed by a patient or her doctor. Diagnostic mammography may also be done after an abnormal screening mammogram to determine the cause of an area of concern. It is important to remember that most lumps and other symptoms do not turn out to be cancer – even if a biopsy is recommended.

How should I prepare for my mammogram?
Before scheduling a mammogram, we recommend that you discuss any new findings or problems in your breasts with your doctor.

Sometimes it is best to schedule your mammogram one week following your period if your breasts are tender during your period. Always inform the technologist if there is any possibility that you could be pregnant.

Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under your arms or on your breasts on the day of the exam. These can appear on the mammogram film as tiny spots of calcium.

Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist who is performing the exam.

What does the equipment look like?
A mammography unit is a rectangular box that houses the tube in which x-rays are produced. The unit is dedicated equipment because it is used exclusively for x-ray of the breast. Attached to the unit is a device that holds and compresses the breast and positions it so images can be obtained at different angles.

What should I expect during my exam?
You will be asked to undress from the waist up and put on a special cape. We also have robes you can wear to stay warm while you are here.

A specially qualified radiologic technologist – called a mammographer – will perform your exam.

The breast is placed on a special platform and compressed with a paddle. The compression is extremely important for several reasons:

• Compression evens out the breast thickness so that all of the tissue can be visualized
• Compression spreads out the tissue so that small abnormalities won’t be covered by overlying breast tissue
• Compression allows the use of a lower x-ray dose since thinner amount of breast tissue is being imaged
• Compression helps to hold the breast still to eliminate blurring of the image caused by motion

The mammographer will go behind a glass shield while making the x-ray exposure, which will send a beam of x-rays through the breast to the film.

You will be asked to change positions slightly between images. The routine views are a top-to-bottom view and a side view. Both breasts will be x-rayed, since it is necessary to compare one with the other.

You will be asked to wait in the x-ray room while the mammographer develops your films and shows them to the doctor. The entire exam should take approximately 40 minutes.

How do I get the results of my exam?
Advanced Medical Imaging is proud to be the only facility in Lincoln where you receive your mammography results before you leave.

Your films are shown to a radiologist while you are still at our facility. The radiologist compares your new films with prior mammograms and interprets them immediately, which allows us to take any additional x-rays or perform an ultrasound if needed – all in the same visit.

You will leave Advanced Medical Imaging with a letter regarding the results of your mammogram. A detailed report of your results is also sent to your physician so that they can follow up with you.

What are the benefits and risks of mammography?
Imaging of the breast improves a physician’s ability to detect small tumors. When cancers are small, the woman has more treatment options and a cure is more likely.

There is a small amount of radiation received from a mammogram. The amount of radiation is about equivalent to what you would receive in your normal daily activities in about 3 months. The Federal mammography guidelines require that each unit be checked by a medical physicist each year to insure that the unit operates correctly.

What are the limitations of mammography?
While mammography is the single best method of detecting most breast cancers, it cannot find all cancers; some cancers may be detectable only by physical examination. It is very important for you to do monthly self-examination on a continuing basis, as well as have annual exams by your doctor. If you or your doctor feel something suspicious in your breast, remember that a normal mammogram cannot completely exclude the possibility of cancer – additional investigation (such as ultrasound, MRI or biopsy) may be recommended. Remember also that most mammographic findings are not caused by cancer, even when additional testing or a biopsy has been recommended.