Important note
If you have had a mammogram taken in a different health and social services facility or private clinic or elsewhere in the past 5 years, it is important to provide their films for purposes of comparison.
How is the examination conducted?
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast using a mammograph designed specially for the breast. It helps detect anomalies, benign or malignant lesions, or even to locate a tumour, as small as it may be.
The technologist who greets you will ask you to fill out a questionnaire that has many questions about your history: number of pregnancies, if you have taken or are taking oral contraceptives or hormones, if any members of your family have had breast cancer, etc.
The examination lasts for a maximum of ten minutes.
What will I feel during the examination?
The examination is uncomfortable and can be painful in some cases. A good mammogram cannot be done without adequate compression of the mammary gland. Thanks to the compression, we get the best possible image of your breasts’ interior.
How do I prepare for the examination?
The day of the examination, you must not apply any cream, powder, perfume or deodorant to your breasts or underarms. These products cause false images which can be confused with lesions. You must remove all your jewellery and free your hair before undergoing the examination.
Results of the examination
You will not be given any results after your examination. The radiologist evaluates the images produced by the technologist and prepares a report describing the findings from the images. The report will then be sent to your doctor who will share the results with you.