What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is an x-ray of your breasts. X-rays use high energy rays to take pictures of the inside of your body. Breast screening with a mammogram can help to find breast cancers early when they are too small to see or feel.
Having your mammogram
- The health professionals who take mammograms are called mammographers. Often the mammographers are female. The mammogram only takes a few minutes, but the appointment may last about 30 minutes.
- The mammographer positions one breast at a time between two flat plates on the machine. This helps to give a clear picture.
- The mammographer takes the x-ray from behind a screen. This is to protect her from the radiation because she is taking x-rays everyday.
- They take two pictures of the breast, one from above and one from the side. This repeated on the other breast.
- You may have this test alongside other tests such as a breast examination and breast ultrasound. This happens in the same appointment. This is often called a triple assessment.
Some people find mammograms a bit painful. Most only feel mild discomfort. Either way, it doesn’t last for long.
Useful websites
Breast screening: helping women decide - in other languages
