MAMMOGRAPHY
Mammography is an X-ray examination of the female breast, which is also occasionally performed on men. It is the most important preventive examination for the early detection of breast cancer.
In order to achieve optimal image quality with the lowest possible radiation exposure, the breast must be briefly compressed during the examination. Since compression is felt to be least painful from the beginning of menstruation until about the tenth day of the cycle, the examination should be performed during this period. Women after the menopause can be examined at any time.
The significance of the mammogram depends on the density of the glandular tissue. For example, if the breast is very dense, a lumps may not be detected in the mammogram. A supplementary ultrasound examination is absolutely necessary in this case. Mammography is nevertheless (from the age of 40) an indispensable examination to detect microcalcifications. These can also indicate malignant changes in the breast.
As the breast tissue is usually still very dense in women before the age of 40, an ultrasound is first carried out to clarify the symptoms and is only supplemented by a mammogram if the findings are unclear.
In the case of special questions, a tomosynthesis (layered X-ray of the breast) can be carried out as a supplementary examination.
All mammograms are examined by two specially trained radiologists. This so-called double diagnosis significantly increases the detection rate of abnormal findings.
All members of our group practice have the ÖAK certificate in breast diagnostics. The certificate includes structured further training and continuous experience in order to perform and diagnose mammograms according to international standards and EU recommendations.
It is particularly important to us that we take the time to discuss your results with you and answer any further questions immediately. If further clarification is necessary, we will refer you to an MR mammography and, if necessary, we will put you in contact with a specialized breast health center.
More information about the breast cancer screening program:
Women insured in Austria are invited to breast examinations every two years between the ages of 45 and 69.
If you are aged between 40 and 44 or over 70, you can request an invitation.
Our practice has been a partner of the nationwide breast cancer screening program from the start.
If you have any complaints (e.g., increased familial risk, palpable lump, unilateral breast pain, secretion from the nipple, breast inflammation, abscesses), you can also have the mammography carried out outside the breast cancer screening program by a referral from your attending physician.
Important information
If your last mammography was not carried out in our practice, we ask you to bring the existing mammography images and findings with you to the examination!
As a matter of principle, no X-ray examinations may be performed on pregnant women. We therefore ask you to inform us about a possible pregnancy before the examination.
Good to know
The radiation exposure of the examination is approx. 0.2-0.3 mSv, which is only a fraction of the natural, annual background radiation (earth radiation and radiation from outer space approx. 4-6 mSv in Austria). This means the benefit of mammography far outweighs the risk of radiation.
