1. Mammogram
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is a breast x-ray.
You may have a mammogram:
- During breast screening to check for early signs of breast cancer
- If you've been referred to a breast clinic to investigate a breast change
What happens during a mammogram?
A female mammographer (an expert in taking breast x-rays) will explain what will happen and answer any questions you have.
Let them know if you’re pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
You’ll be asked to remove your clothing from the waist up and stand in front of the mammography machine.
Your breasts will be placed one at a time on the x-ray machine. Your breast will be pressed down firmly on the surface by a clear plate.
At least 2 pictures (x-rays) of each breast will be taken, one from top to bottom and then a second from side to side. This helps to include the breast tissue that extends into your armpit.
You’ll need to stay in this position while the x-ray is taken.
3D mammograms (tomosynthesis)
Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is a more detailed type of mammogram used in some hospitals.
DBT makes 3D images using lower dose x-rays.
The breast is positioned the same way as when having a mammogram. The x-ray arm rotates and curves around the breast, taking multiple x-ray pictures at different angles.
The information is then sent to a computer that makes the pictures into 3D images. This can make it easier to see any overlapping breast tissue.
How to prepare for a mammogram
There’s no special way to prepare for having a mammogram.
You may want to wear a top that’s easy to remove.
Is a mammogram painful?
You may find having a mammogram uncomfortable, but it only takes a few seconds.
The compression does not harm the breasts.
Are mammograms safe?
Mammograms deliver a very low dose of radiation. You’d receive a similar amount flying from London to Australia and back.
Mammograms and younger women
If you’re under 40, you’re more likely to have an than a mammogram.
This is because younger women’s breast tissue can be dense, which can make any changes harder to identify.
However, your treatment team may still recommend you have a mammogram to complete your assessment.
Breast screening
Learn what breast screening is, what it involves and how you may get your results. And find out what you need to know about breast screening...
Mammogram results
As part of breast screening
If you had your mammogram during routine breast screening, your results will be sent to you by letter.
At a breast clinic appointment
The breast clinic will let you know how and when you’ll get your results. They may ask you to come back for your results, or they may give them to you over the phone or by letter.
You may hear your results described as a letter and a number. “M” stands for mammogram.
Mammogram results may be described as:
- M1: normal breast tissue
- M2: benign (not cancer)
- M3: uncertain but probably benign
- M4: suspicious and possibly cancer
- M5: cancer
2. Breast ultrasound
You may have a breast ultrasound if you have been referred to a breast clinic to investigate a breast change.
What is a breast ultrasound?
An ultrasound scan uses sound waves to produce an image of the breast tissue.
An ultrasound scan is painless. It’s generally done in a few minutes but can take longer.
What happens during a breast ultrasound?
You’ll be asked to undress from the waist up and lie on a couch with your arm above your head.
The person doing the scan will spread some gel over the area of your breast.
They’ll move a handheld scanning probe over your breast to look at the underlying tissue. The area under your arm may also be scanned.
Breast ultrasound results
The breast clinic will let you know how and when you’ll get your results. They may ask you to come back for your results, or they may give them to you over the phone or by letter.
You may hear your results described as a letter and a number. “U” stands for ultrasound.
Ultrasound results may be described as:
- U1: normal breast tissue
- U2: benign (not cancer)
- U3: uncertain but probably benign
- U4: suspicious and possibly cancer
- U5: cancer
3. Other types of breast imaging
Sometimes other imaging techniques are used too, such as:
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan - uses magnetism and radio waves to produce a series of images of the inside of the breast. An MRI does not expose the body to x-ray radiation
- Contrast enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) - uses a special dye to “highlight” areas within the breast in more detail than a standard mammogram
MRI and CESM are not routinely performed and are only used in certain circumstances.
You may hear about different techniques used to take pictures of the breasts, such as thermal imaging and radio waves. These are not routinely used as they aren’t any more reliable than mammograms.
Your specialist may recommend other types of scans depending on your test results and symptoms.
