What happens during the mammogram?

When you attend for a mammogram our friendly reception staff will check your ID and check you in for your mammogram.

They will then direct you to a seat in our waiting room, where the following 5 steps will occur...

Step 1

The radiographer will call you into the x-ray room at your appointment time and will go through some breast related questions with you before fully explaining the mammogram procedure and answering any questions you may have.

Step 2

Those aged 40-49 will receive a 3D mammogram and those aged 70+ will receive a 2D mammogram. A mammogram involves an x-ray of the breasts, either type of mammogram involves being positioned for 4 different x-rays. 2 of each breast, one covering the front of the breast and the other covering the tissue at the back of the breast and under the arm.

Step 3

The mammogram involves compressing the breast each time to get a good image. If the breast is not compressed the image would be of very poor quality or blurred and we might not get good detail on the mammogram. Most women would describe the procedure as uncomfortable, rather than painful, although a few women may find it painful.

Step 4

The compression during the procedure lasts for approximately 10-15 seconds for each picture for 2D mammogram each picture and 40 seconds for a 3D mammogram and automatically releases once the X-Ray is taken, if you do find the compression too uncomfortable, you can inform the radiographer who may try position you differently.

Step 5

For those having a 3D mammogram, you will notice very little difference between your previous mammogram and the 3D one in fact it may seem a little more comfortable as we will not need to use as much compression to hold the breast still. The main difference is that the machine will move during the mammogram for a few seconds each image. It will not come in contact with you in any way and you will be positioned in exactly the same way as in previous mammograms.

Results

Our results take 3 weeks and if we see an abnormality on the x-ray we would then refer into the NHS for further investigation.

Around 4% of clients screened are referred for further investigation.

This does not necessarily mean that there is anything wrong: 4 out of 5 clients recalled are given a normal result after further tests.

If this was your first mammogram...

Normally the specialists reporting look at the mammogram and compare it with one taken two years previously, looking for any changes. On a first mammogram we do not have a baseline mammogram for comparison. Our breasts are not perfectly symmetrical and we can have differing amounts of breast tissue in each, but on a first mammogram we may check out any area that appears different. It is more common to be recalled on a first mammogram.

If you have had previous mammograms...

The specialists reporting will have compared the mammogram taken with a previous one and have noted a change. Breast tissue changes with age and many changes may just be part of this process, but it is important to check them in case of a more serious problem.