Your check-up – mammogram

Posted on 14 March 2013

A routine check-up is quick and easy – and essential for your long-term health. We look at how investing a little time in your health today can add years to your future by taking one simple test.

Mammogram
A mammogram is an X-ray image of a woman’s breasts. The image will show whether unusual growths exist in the breast tissue.

Why should I take the test?
One South African woman in every 27 is likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. But if it is found early, she’ll have a very good chance of recovery.

When should I take the test?
Women aged 50 years and older should have a mammogram at least every two years. If you have a family history of breast cancer, you may have to start mammograms earlier and test more often.

What can I expect during the test?
Standing naked from the waist up, you will have to place your breast on a metal plate containing an X-ray film. Another metal plate will be pressed firmly against your breast to flatten the tissue. This ensures accurate imaging.

The procedure may be uncomfortable, but usually is not painful. A mammogram usually takes about seven minutes.

What do my results mean?
A healthy result:
The tissue looks normal. No unusual lumps or growths are seen and all the glands seem healthy (Code 1)*.

A suspicious result:
An unusual lump, most likely harmless, can be seen (Codes 2 and 3)*.

Warning sign:
Worrisome growth, which may be a sign of cancer, can be seen (Codes 4 and 5).*

* The American College of Radiology is using this standardised coding system for internationally consistent reporting on mammogram.

Going for your first mammogram? Read our next post to find out what you can expect.

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The information provided in this article was correct at the time of publishing. At Mediclinic we endeavour to provide our patients and readers with accurate and reliable information, which is why we continually review and update our content. However, due to the dynamic nature of clinical information and medicine, some information may from time to time become outdated prior to revision.