A mammography is an X-ray examination of the breasts. The images show fatty tissue, glandular tissue and connective tissue, allowing even very small changes in the breast to be detected. Sometimes even before you can feel them yourself.
You can have a mammography if you feel a lump or notice other changes in your breast, if your breasts are painful, if there is blood or fluid coming from the nipple, or if breast cancer runs in your family. We also perform follow-up checks for patients who have had breast cancer in the past.
The examination takes about 15 minutes in total.
First, the technician will ask you a few questions that are important for the examination. After that, the examination starts.
The technician places your breast on a detector plate. A second plate gently presses the breast for a few seconds. This pressure is needed to get a clear image. It may feel uncomfortable or slightly painful. The technician will explain this to you before the examination. Please let them know if the pressure is too uncomfortable. After the image is taken, the plate moves up automatically.
If possible, both breasts are examined so they can be compared. The technician takes two images of each breast. For men, one image per breast is taken, from the side only.
The technician checks whether the images are clear enough. If needed, extra images are taken right away. The examination takes about 15 minutes in total. For patients under 30 years old, or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, only an ultrasound of the breasts is performed.
You do not need to follow any special preparation for this examination. However, do not use body lotion or deodorant on the day of your appointment. As these products can make the images harder to interpret.
Do not use body lotion, cream, or deodorant on your breasts or underarms on the day of the examination. As these products can interfere with the quality of the images.
If you have a breast implants, you do not need to avoid this examination. Our experienced laboratory technicians use special techniques to minimize the strain on the implants.
A radiologist will review the images. Sometimes a mammography does not provide enough information, and additional tests may be needed.
The radiologist may request additional images and/or perform an ultrasound if needed. You will receive the preliminary results from the radiologist immediately after the examination.
You should contact your (GP) doctor to schedule an appointment to discuss the results.
This examination takes approximately 15 minutes.
The procedure is not painful and is relatively quick.
This research is not harmful.
The amount of X-ray radiation used for breast imaging is very low. The benefit of detecting a breast abnormality early, far outweighs the possible risks of radiation exposure.
You can safely undergo this examination even with implants.
The risk of damaging breast implants during compression is extremely small and mainly applies to older implants that have been in place for many years. With the newest generation of implants, the risk of damage is virtually zero. Even so, our experienced radiographers take this into account and use special techniques to minimize any pressure on the implants.
