Mammography

With a referral from your doctor you can quickly visit the Breast Care Centre. You will be immediately seen by our radio diagnostic laboratory technician who takes a photo of the breast and after you will see the radiologist to discuss the photos and to possibly make an ultrasound of the breast. You immediately discuss the result and any follow-up steps with the radiologist. After these investigations, further investigations are not indicated in many cases. You can then go home reassured.

Sometimes it is necessary to perform a biopsy or puncture to get a full picture of the findings in the breast. That is not done at our location but by the radiologist at the hospital. If necessary, we can send you directly to the hospital for this, where the biopsy is done. The results are known within 48 hours after the procedure. Any further treatment and the preparation of a treatment plan is done in collaboration with the hospital. We will schedule any treatment as soon as possible in consultation with you.

What is mammography?

In the Netherlands mammography is performed during a population screening. Women aged between 50 and 75 are invited to the screening every two years. We have the latest tomosynthesis mammograph at our disposal, which also produces 3D mammography images. This is a valuable addition to the regular mammography so that abnormalities are discovered better and faster. During a mammography we take a photo of the breast using the lowest possible dose of X-rays. In the photo, abnormalities in the fatty tissue, glandular tissue and connective tissue will become visible. This procedure sometimes is necessary to provide sufficient information about a imperfection that has been seen and or felt in the breast. For a well-assessable photo it is important that the breast tissue is pressed as flat as possible, this is done by the experienced X-ray technician carefully and in consultation. A photo is taken from each side from above and from the side.

The Women’s Healthcare Centre is the first zbc to use the latest "state of the art" Mammograph from Fuji. Women will experience fewer pain-related problems; pain prevents many women from having a mammography examination.

Optimal patient comfort

• Low dose of radiation. With the help of a so-called low dose pre-shot, whereby radiation is kept to a minimum for an optimal result.
• Less sensitive research for the patient. Due to the fit sweet paddles and an investigation time of less than 4 seconds. Also accessible for women with prostheses and postoperative breasts.
• High-quality image quality. The mammograph has the ability to create high-quality 2D and 3D images.
• Fast diagnostics. Mammography, any ultrasound-guided biopsy and supplement with ultrasound are done within 1 consultation. Reporting to the doctor is done the same day.

 

Before the medical research

In preparation for your outpatient visit, it may help that you think of an answer on the following questions that the specialist might ask you:

• How long is the lump present?
• At what point in your menstrual cycle did you feel the lump?
• Does breast cancer occur in your family?
• Has your breast changed in size (size or shape) or colour?
• Are there changes to the nipple?
• Which medicines do you use?
• It is also wise to write down your complaints and questions in advance. That way you won't forget anything.

 It is also good to take the following things to the outpatient clinic:

• The referral from your doctor or digital confirmation
• your health insurance card;
• a valid proof of identity (a valid passport, a valid identity card, a valid aliens document or a valid driver's license);
• an overview of any medicines that you use;
• any other matters that are stated in the appointment letter.

Do not use body lotion or talcum powder before the appointment, as these may cause abnormalities in the photo.

Side effects and risks

Pressing your breast into the X-ray machine can be painful. It is therefore wise to make the appointment for this examination one week after your period. At that point in time your breast is the least sensitive, which means that pressing is less painful. Because the amount of radiation must remain limited for everyone, our lab technicians and radiologists ensure that the photos are taken with the lowest possible dose of X-rays. This is possible thanks to the newest "state of the art" Mammograph in the Breast Care Centre.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Unborn children are sensitive to X-rays. If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, please contact our radiologist before the examination. Sometimes the examination is postponed in consultation with your doctor. The glandular tissue in your breast is swollen if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is therefore more difficult to assess the X-ray images. In that case the radiologist can decide to make an ultrasound.

Use of medication

If you use medication you can continue using the medication also on the day of the mammography.

Cost

All examinations are reimbursed by your health insurance.