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Mammography if you don't have breast symptoms

Published by Bupa's health information team, October 2009.

This factsheet is for women who are having a screening mammography, or who would like information about it.

Mammography is an X-ray of the breasts. Screening mammography is used to detect changes that have occurred in a woman's breasts when she has no breast symptoms.

Your care will be adapted to meet your individual needs and may differ from what is described here. So it's important that you follow your radiographer's advice.

About mammography
What is breast cancer screening?
Deciding on breast screening
Preparing for your mammography
About the procedure
Animation - How a mammography is carried out
Getting your results
Breast awareness
Questions and answers
Related Bupa products and services
Related topics
Further information
Sources

About mammography

Mammography is a technique used to take X-ray images of your breasts. The X-ray images are called mammograms.

You may need to have a mammography if:

you have no breast symptoms - this is called screening mammography
you have breast symptoms - this is called diagnostic mammography

For more information on mammography if you have breast symptoms, see Related topics

What is breast cancer screening?

Breast cancer screening uses mammography to detect signs of breast cancer early on; before you're able to notice them.

The National Health Service (NHS) runs a breast cancer screening programme in the UK. The NHS breast screening programme aims to screen all women aged between 50 and 70 for breast cancer, every three years.

Breast cancer screening is carried out at a special breast cancer screening unit, which may be at a hospital, clinic or in a mobile unit.

You will need to be registered with a GP to receive an invitation to screening. You should receive an invitation by your 53rd birthday. If you're aged 53 or over and haven't received an invitation, contact your GP for advice.

You won't be invited for breast screening when you're over 70. You can still attend screening once every three years, but you will need to arrange this yourself through your GP or local breast screening unit.

Mammography is also available at independent facilities, including Bupa Wellness centres. Bupa offers mammography to women aged 40 and over as part of some of our Wellness health assessments.

If you're over 50, you can have a mammography at a Bupa Wellness centre every two years. If you're aged between 40 and 50, you can have one every year. You can't have a mammography at a Bupa Wellness centre more than once a year, unless it's recommended by a breast specialist.

Deciding on breast screening

It's your choice whether or not to have breast cancer screening. To make an informed decision, it's important that you're aware of the benefits and risks of mammography.

Benefits

Screening reduces the number of women who die from breast cancer. According to Macmillan Cancer Support, breast cancer screening saves the lives of around 1,400 women a year in England.

Most cancers picked up during screening are at an early stage. Early detection of breast cancer makes treatment easier, so there is a good chance that you will make a full recovery.

A recent review of research suggests that for every 2,000 women who are invited to breast cancer screening over a period of 10 years, up to six women will live for longer because of it.

Risks

It's important to remember that, although mammography is the best way of detecting early breast cancer, it isn't a perfect test. Sometimes signs of breast cancer can be missed, despite the test being done correctly.

Sometimes, screening can show possible signs of breast cancer when in fact there is no problem. If this happens, you will be asked to have further tests, which may cause unnecessary worry.

There is a chance that you could be wrongly diagnosed with breast cancer or treated for breast cancer that would never have caused you any problems. If this happens, you may have unnecessary cancer treatment. A recent review of research suggests that for every 2,000 women who are invited to breast cancer screening over a period of 10 years, 10 women may go on to have breast cancer treatment they don't need.

Mammography exposes you to a small amount of radiation. However, this is around the same as the radiation you're exposed to naturally from the environment over a few months to a year, and is considered to be safe.

Preparing for your mammography

Don't use any spray-on deodorant or talcum powder on the day of your mammography, as this could affect the mammogram.

If you're pregnant, or think you might be, you must let the staff know. The radiation from the scan may affect your unborn baby. The staff will decide whether or not it's safe for you to have a mammography. If they decide to go ahead, you will be given a lead apron to wear. This will cover your lower abdomen (tummy) and protect your unborn baby from any radiation.

You must also let the staff know if you have breast implants. If you have implants, the procedure may need to be adapted slightly so that as much of your breast tissue as possible is shown on the mammogram.

About the procedure

You will be guided through the procedure by a radiographer (a health professional trained to perform imaging procedures).

Mammograms are taken using an X-ray machine called a mammography unit.

You will need to undress to your waist. You will be asked to place your breasts on a flat plate on the mammography unit, one at a time. There will be another flat plate above your breast. The plate above your breast will move down and your breast will be pressed in between the two plates while the mammograms are taken.

Your breasts need to be compressed to keep them still, and so that a clear image can be taken using the lowest possible level of radiation. You may find the compression uncomfortable or a bit painful, but it will only last for a few minutes.

Two mammograms will be taken of each breast, one from above and one from the side. You will be asked to stay still while each mammogram is taken. Once all four have been taken, you will be able to get dressed and go.

The radiographer will be behind a screen while your mammograms are taken. He or she will be able to see and hear you at all times, so you can let him or her know if there are any problems.

The whole procedure should take around half an hour.

How a mammogram is carried out

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Getting your results

You will usually get the results of your mammography around one to two weeks afterwards, but it can sometimes take longer.

If there are any signs of an abnormality on your mammogram, you will be asked to attend a breast assessment clinic for further tests. Around one in 20 women in the UK are called back for further tests after they have had a screening mammography. If you're called back, try not to worry. Only around one in eight of those who are called back after screening are found to have breast cancer.

Breast awareness

Even if you're having regular breast screening, it's important to be breast aware so that you notice any changes in your breasts.

Mammography doesn't pick up every case of breast cancer. If you notice any breast changes or symptoms, contact your GP, even if a recent mammogram didn't show any changes in your breasts.