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| Mammography |
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Breast Cancer is the most common form of
cancer in women and New Zealand has the highest death rates in the world from
breast cancer. If the breast cancer is detected early enough, there is an
excellent chance of recovery and that the patient will lead a normal healthy
life.
Mammography – What is it?
The best method for early detection of cancer in the breast is an x-ray
examination, called mammography. While women are encouraged to regularly
examine their breasts, self examination only picks up 50 percent of breast
cancers whereas mammography, combined with a physical examination by your
doctor, picks up over 90 percent of cancers.
When?
Mammography can detect a change in breast tissue long before you can notice
anything unusual or before you start to feel unwell.
All women aged 40 to 50 years should have their breasts screened annually.
All women over the age of 50 should have their breasts screened every two
years.
Of course every woman is different and some women with large breasts, a family
of breast cancer or who have already had a breast removed should consider
annual screenings.
Mammography is also the best method available for determining the cause of a
lump in the breast. Many lumps turn out not to be serious as they are due to a
cyst or prominent tissue.
Your Mammogram – the process
The whole visit takes about half an hour. You need to undress from the waist
up.
When you are comfortable, the radiographer positions one of your breasts
between two plastic plates. Some compression of the breast is necessary in
order to improve image quality and reduce radiation dose. The plates are
removed as soon as the exposure is taken.
Is it Safe?
X-Rays are used for mammography. The amount of radiation is very low and the
benefits of being screened for breast cancer far outweigh any risk of harm from
the x-ray.
The slight pressure placed on your breast during the procedure cannot cause
damage to your breasts or give you breast cancer. It is, however, best to avoid
mammography in the week prior to your period as your breasts feel more tender at
this time and the procedure may cause you discomfort.
Our approach
At Mercy Radiology we routinely take two views of the breast, but sometimes
further x-rays are obtained to show an area of breast tissue more clearly.
Don’t worry if we take several more x-rays of your breast.
It is also useful to compare the results with previous examinations and you
should bring along any previous mammography results to your appointment.
Do not use talcum powder under your arms or on your breasts on the day of the
examination as it can show up on x-rays.
Mammography/Ultrasound
We often like to examine areas within the breast by ultrasound where sound
waves are used to scan tissue. For most patients a mammogram is sufficient, but
ultrasound may be needed to examine particularly dense breast tissue.
There is no discomfort with this method of examination. It can add up to 15
minutes to the time needed for your mammogram.
Ultrasound is particularly useful in detecting cysts.
Your results
Sometimes it is not possible to provide the results immediately because we need
to compare them with previous examination results, or we need to consult with
other radiologists to best interpret the results. In any case your report will
be sent to your doctor outlining our findings and recommendations for any
further action. If there is a problem which requires immediate attention, we
will discuss this with your doctor before you leave our clinic.
Appointments
To make an appointment for your mammogram, please phone the most convenient of
our locations listed.
If you still have some questions about mammography, ask your doctor or contact
us direct. Our staff will be pleased to help you.
Where: All branches except City Med and St Lukes offer mammography.
A breast surgeon or breast specialist is available at Sunset Road, Mercy Breast
Clinic.
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