Mammography

Mammography is a radiological examination of the breast with the use of soft X-rays, i.e. with the voltage of less than 30 kV in the X-ray lamp.

The examination consists in taking X-ray images in two projections for each breast: angle side (mediolateral) and head-to-foot (craniocaudal). In the case of clinical indications, targeted images may be taken. The objective of mammography is obtaining the images of soft tissues of the breast, and thus identification of any irregularities associated with the breast structure and presence of tumours, including primarily cancer. The examination enables the detection of primary focus of less than 1 cm, which after surgery gives complete remission or 5-year symptom-free survival in 90% of patients.

Mammography also enables the visualisation of microcalcifications the identification of which is of high importance in breast cancer diagnostics.
The examination should be performed routinely starting from the age of 35 every 2 years, and above the age of 50 - once a year.

Please bring the referral form when reporting for the examination. The examination is indicated after the age of 35.

Necessary additional examinations
• None required.

Preparation for the examination
• Two-piece outfit is preferred to facilitate undressing from the waist up.
• Bath on the day of examination; do not use talc deodorant, skin balm or cream.
• The optimal time for menstruating women is day 5-10 of the cycle (recommendation increasing the examination value but not the condition for its performance).
• Post-menopausal women may undergo the examination on any day.

Drugs
• On the day of examination, all the routinely administered drugs should be taken.

Necessary information for the physician
• Inform the physician about pregnancy
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• History of breast surgery.
• The patient should provide the documentation of previous imaging examinations and medical history reports from the hospital.

During the procedure
• Inform about sudden complaints.

Contraindications
• Pregnancy