Explanation

A mammogram is a type of x-ray that is used to take pictures of your mammary glands (breasts). Mammograms help doctors to diagnose breast cancer.

Why do women need to have them?

A doctor may tell a woman to have a mammogram if she has a lump, or pain, in her breast. The mammogram can help the doctor find out if she has breast cancer.

What happens before she has it?

She shouldn't wear any deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under her arms or on her breasts when she goes for a mammogram. They could all be picked up by the x-ray camera and spoil the picture!

She should tell her doctor and the radiologist about any problems she has with her breasts and tell them if she has had any operations before, or if she is taking any hormone supplements.

She should also tell her doctor if anyone else in her family has ever had breast cancer.

How is it done?

A radiographer helps her to put one breast at a time between two plates. When the breast is squashed between the plates the radiographer takes one or two special x-rays of it, from above and from the side. These are called mammographs. The plates press on her breast to give a better pictures on the mammographs.

The radiographer will then do the same thing with her other breast.

Will it hurt?

Mammograms aren't usually painful, but they may feel uncomfortable. If it does hurt it's only for a short time - it's a very quick test.

What happens next?

Women can go home straight after having a mammogram.

Radiologists will examine the pictures, and will let her doctor know the results within about 4 weeks. The doctor will talk about the results with her and tell her if she needs to have any more tests.

What if I have any more questions?

If you have any other questions, you can ask your doctor, or chat to other people about mammograms in the Medikidz forums and virtual world, Mediland.