Breast imaging

The services we offer

• Mammography
• Breast Screening
• Breast Ultrasound
• Breast Intervention

The Breast Imaging Team is committed to providing a service of the highest quality. The Department is equipped with quality equipment which undergoes strict daily quality control tests and is operated by specially trained Radiographers.

Mammography

What is mammography?
A mammogram is a special X ray examination of the breast.

Preparation for your Mammogram
We ask you not to wear deodorant or talcum powder when coming for your examination, as they may show up on the images.

Who takes the Mammogram?
A specially trained female Radiographer will take the Mammogram.

How long does it take?
The examination usually takes about 20 minutes.

Will it be painful?
To obtain good quality images, we will need to compress your breasts with a special pad during the examination. This may be uncomfortable but only lasts for a very short time and is rarely painful.

What happens after the Manmogram?
Your films will be examined by a Consultant Radiologist specially trained in breast imaging, who will send a report to the referring Doctor.

About 5% of women will require further evaluation after their mammogram.  If recalled, further assessment with mammograms and ultrasound maybe required.  The ultrasound scan is performed by a consultant Radiologist trained in breast imaging.  Occasionally a biopsy may also be required.  The majority of women who are recalled do not have serious breast disease.

More information about having a mammogram
Please visit the RCR virtual department website's mammography page.

Screening

One in twelve women develop breast cancer during their life time.  Breast screening mammography allows very early changes to be detected often before there are any symptoms.
We can perform annual screening mammograms on women aged between 40 and 50 years. Women can self-refer or request this through their GP. Women over 50 years may wish to be screened on the NHS screening programme or continue with private screening.

Symptomatic Cases

Symptomatic cases should be referred first to a breast surgeon for clinical assessment.  We work closely with the breast surgeons and they will request any imaging that is needed.

Breast ultrasound

Breast ultrasound is often used in conjunction with mammography to give more information about a breast abnormality.
In patients under the age 35 years ultrasound is usually the first investigation of symptomatic lumps.

Breast intervention / biopsy

Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) - a fine needle is inserted and a sample taken from the
Breast under clinical or ultrasound guidance.  The cells can then be examined microscopically.

Core Biopsy - a slightly larger needle is inserted into the breast to remove a small sample of tissue for histological examination.  This can be performed under clinical, ultrasound or stereotatic (X-ray) guidance.  This procedure is done using local anaesthetic.

Localisation - if surgery is needed for a non palpable abnormality in the breast a wire or a skin marker can we used to guide the surgeon to the lesion.