Mammography
- Uses low energy X-rays and is used as a screening tool. X-rays pass through most objects including the body, different cells of the body absorb x-rays in varying degrees.
- Involves exposing breast tissue to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures.
- For early detection of breast diseases such as cancer through finding masses and/or micro-calcifications
- Recommended for women over 40. It can detect cancer in the breast up to 2 years before a lump can be felt.
- During the procedure, a qualified technologist will place your breast in the mammography unit and compressed with a paddle.
- Compression is important so that the breast tissue is spread out, abnormalities are seen easier, and so to increase sharpness of the picture.
- The whole process will take approximately 30 minutes.
Preparation:
One week following period to reduce breast sensitivity