What is breast screening?
Breast screening traditionally involves a low-dose x-ray of a women’s breast, for the purpose of detecting breast cancers at an early stage, before they can be seen or felt. Screening mammograms are done when there are no symptoms.
Why is breast screening important?
Doctors and scientists agree that early detection is the best defense against breast cancer and the key to saving lives. Having regular mammograms, in accordance with the following age guide, is one of the best things you can do to detect breast cancer early.
What are 3D Mammograms?
At Breast Diagnostic Specialists on the Sunshine Coast, we utilise a technology called breast tomosynthesis, also known as a 3D Mammogram. It allows our specialists to examine your breast tissue one layer at a time. Instead of viewing all the complexities of your breast tissue in a flat image, the Specialist can examine the tissue in one millimeter slices. By providing 3D Mammography, Breast Diagnostic Specialists offers women on the Sunshine Coast access to an innovative and effective breast imaging technology. This technology can also perform a traditional 2D mammogram.
When should I start getting regular mammograms?
Are breast mammograms safe?
For breast diagnostic mammograms (when you have symptoms) you will need a Doctor’s referral.
What can I expect during my 3D Mammogram?
A breast tomosynthesis exam (3D Mammogram) is very similar to a traditional mammogram. The technologist will position you, compress your breast under a paddle. The x-ray arm of the machine makes a quick arc over the breast, taking a series of breast images at a number of angles. This will only take a few seconds. Images are produced in layers as thin as one millimetre. All of the images are viewed to ensure adequate images have been captured for the Breast Diagnostic Specialist to review.