PREPARATION FOR A MAMMOGRAM

For your convenience, wear a two piece outfit, a skirt or trousers and a top as you will be asked to undress from the waist up.

Do not wear talcum powder or deodorant as it may show on the films.

If your breasts are tender or sore before your period you should try to arrange to have your mammogram just after your period finishes.

A screening mammogram takes approximately thirty minutes. However, a diagnostic mammogram may take up to two hours if extra views, ultrasound and / or fine needle aspiration (FNA) are required.

Please bring all previous mammograms that you have in your possession with you.

RESULTS OF A MAMMOGRAM

At Canterbury Breastcare your films will be looked at by at least two radiologists (doctors specialising in medical diagnosis using X - ray). They will check for small cancers and will compare your mammograms with any previous ones you have had taken to see if there are any changes in your breasts. The films will be kept in our file.

Your referring doctor will receive the results of your mammogram usually within 7-10 days. Please contact your doctor for the result.

For women in the National Breast Screening Programme, the results will be sent directly to you within two weeks. They will also be sent to your GP if you have agreed to this.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1

Who should have screening mammograms?

Yearly mammography is recommended for women 40-49 years of age. Women over the age of 50 should have screening mammography every two years.

The recommended screening interval in women 40-49 is shorter compared with the two yearly interval in women over 50 because of faster tumour growth rates.
It should be done yearly, starting from the age of 40, or in some cases even earlier for women who may be at risk i.e.

have a family history of breast cancer in a mother or sister who developed the disease before menopause or in both breasts after menopause

have had previous breast cancer

have had a previous biopsy of breast tissue showing an at risk lesion such as atypical hyperplasia.

2

What happens when you have a mammogram?

The radiographer (a technologist who is an expert in the use of X - ray equipment) will carefully place each breast in turn between two plastic plates on the X - ray machine. These sandwich the breast so that it is flattened as much as possible to give a good image of the breast. The plates hold the breast firmly for a few seconds while the pictures are taken. Usually two views of each breast are taken -one looking from above and the other from the side.

3

Do mammograms hurt?

The technique of mammography involves compressing the breast for a short time to take a very fast X - ray image. This compression is sometimes uncomfortable but the majority of women find it bearable. A few find it painful.

The compression of breast tissue may also cause redness of the skin and very occasionally bruising.

It does not harm the breasts.

4

Are mammograms safe?

With modern equipment the radiation dose is very low. The benefits of finding and treating a breast cancer early far outweigh any risk from the X - ray itself.

5

Do I need to have a mammogram if I am well and can't feel any lumps in my breast?

A mammogram can show changes and abnormalities in your breasts before anything can be seen or felt. These changes may be due to cancer and may be smaller than a grain of rice. Early detection and treatment of small cancers greatly increases your chances of a cure.

6

What if I have an abnormal result?

Some women will be contacted for a second appointment because something on the x-rays needs further checking. This may involve:

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further x-rays

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an ultrasound

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the taking of a small sample of tissue for examination under a microscope (needle biopsy).

Most women recalled for further checks will not have cancer. For example, they may be recalled because the mammogram was not clear.

7

How common is breast cancer?

About 1 woman in 10 will develop breast cancer at some time in her life.

In New Zealand, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women.

Early detection and treatment significantly improve a woman's chances of survival.

8

Who gets breast cancer?

The risk of breast cancer increases with age. 70% of breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50. Some 30% of women who develop breast cancer are under the age of 50 and it appears that the trend is for the age of incidence to be dropping.

9

What happens when a diagnosis of breast cancer is made?

The few women who do have breast cancer will be referred to a specialist for treatment. Most women with breast cancer will have surgery to remove the cancer.

10

What is the National Breast Screening Programme?

BreastScreen Aotearoa is a national breast screening programme which offers free mammograms every two years to all women in New Zealand aged 45 to 69 years.

Enrolment may be by phoning 0800 270 200 or contacting your own doctor.

Screening mammograms for the Programme are performed at Canterbury Breastcare, After Hours Radiology, Cashmere Radiology, or on the Mobile which has sites at Christchurch, Ashburton, Kaikoura, Culverden, Westport, Greymouth.

Other affiliated sites are South Canterbury Mammography Unit in Timaru, Nelson Radiology, Wairau Hospital in Blenheim, and Takaka (Mobile).

Finally, Please Note

Mammograms do not prevent cancer, they can only detect it.

Mammograms can find most cancers present at the time of screening, but like other medical tests, they are not 100% effective.

If at any time you notice any changes in your breasts such as a new lump or thickening; a change in breast shape or size; puckering or dimpling of the skin; any change in one nipple such as a turned-in nipple, or a discharge which persists without squeezing; lumpiness in one breast soon after your period ends; pain in the breast that is unusual, see your doctor. While these signs may not be cancer, you need to have them checked by your doctor.

A fees guide is available.