Our new Hologic Selenia Dimensions mammography unit provides the latest image quality, offering incredibly sharp, direct capture digital images for patients requiring a mammogram.
Other benefits of this high tech system are patient comfort and low dose radiation combined with a high level of patient care.
Breast Tomosynthesis software and reporting facility are available at North Shore Radiology & Nuclear Medicine.
Breast Tomosynthesis is an exciting new technique to remove the problem of overlapping tissue on standard mammographic images giving a 3D image. Early studies suggest significantly increased detection of lesions over standard mammography. It will be performed at the same time as your routine mammographic images. You may notice the mammographic unit gently moving above you while in the compression.
Please don’t wear perfume, lotion, or talcum powder on the day of your appointment, as these substances may show up as shadows on your mammogram. Bring your deodorant with you to put it on at the end of the examination.
Wear a two-piece outfit for comfort, so you only need to undress from the waist up. Bring any previous mammogram films with you to be compared with your mammogram.
If you have breast implants, please let us know when you book your appointment, as we will schedule a longer appointment time.
Please remember to bring your request from your doctor for your mammogram, plus any previous mammograms, breast ultrasounds, or other related examinations. Please report to North Shore Radiology & Nuclear Medicine 15 minutes before your appointment time to ensure registration is completed and you are ready for your examination at the scheduled appointment time.
Standard mammography takes approximately 15 minutes, as our radiologist reviews the images. Sometimes additional views are requested by the radiologist, which takes longer.
The mammography will take longer (40 minutes) if you have breast implants, as additional images are required to see the breast tissue. An ultrasound is generally required after the mammogram, which takes 30 minutes.
Firstly, we ask you to complete a questionnaire to obtain relevant information about any family history of breast cancer, previous mammograms, or breast surgery. Then we will provide you with a gown to change into.
Your breasts will be placed, one at a time, between two special plates and compressed (pressed down) firmly for a few seconds whilst the X-rays are taken. Two views of each breast are performed as a minimum.
The compression may be uncomfortable or perhaps painful, but it only lasts a few seconds. Without compression, the X-rays would be blurry, making it difficult to see any abnormality.
Compression also reduces the amount of radiation required for the mammogram. Ideally, it is best to have a mammogram one week after the start of your menstrual cycle, as your breasts will not be as tender at this time.
Following your mammogram and any other relevant examinations, the radiologist will prepare a report. There may be a delay of approximately two hours while the report is typed. In some cases, you may take the films unreported, and we will fax or email the report to your doctor.
Our radiologists are dedicated to breast imaging and are skilled in breast assessment and screening. Their expertise in breast imaging is enhanced by involvement in many specific activities such as reading screening mammograms and assessing women for BreastScreen NSW, involvement in dedicated clinics for symptomatic women, and involvement in cancer care multi-disciplinary teams.
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