Why do a diagnostic mammogram

This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Related information 3D mammogram. Receiving a mammogram Open pop-up dialog box Close. Receiving a mammogram During a mammogram, you stand in front of an X-ray machine designed for mammography. Screening mammograms at Mayo Clinic. Related information Mammogram guidelines: What are they? More Information Dense breast tissue Breast implants: Do they interfere with mammograms?

Conflicting mammogram results: What can I do? Mammogram: Can it find cancer in dense breasts? Breast cancer Breast cysts Breast pain Enlarged breasts in men gynecomastia Fibroadenoma Fibrocystic breasts Galactorrhea Hypercalcemia Inflammatory breast cancer Invasive lobular carcinoma Male breast cancer Mammary duct ectasia Mastitis Paget's disease of the breast Recurrent breast cancer Mammogram for breast cancer — What to expect Show more related information.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Related information Video: Mammogram for breast cancer — What to expect. Preventive screening during COVID pandemic leads to early diagnosis of treatable breast cancer Throughout the COVID pandemic, health care providers have been concerned about a growing number of patients delaying or skipping preventive screenings because they have been hesitant to see their health care provider.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert. Breast cancer screening and options for supplemental screening in the dense breast adult. Mayo Clinic; Breast cancer screening PDQ — patient version. National Cancer Institute. Accessed July 7, Andreas A, et al.

The breast. Elsevier; Awan said. Both types of mammograms use low-dose X-rays to examine the breast. They may use either the standard 2-dimensional digital mammography or 3-D mammograms known as tomosynthesis. While the technology is basically the same, there are a few key differences between screening and diagnostic mammograms that you should know:. A diagnostic mammogram is used to evaluate abnormalities detected on a screening mammogram or because of special circumstances.

A diagnostic mammogram is an X-ray test used to diagnose unusual breast changes, such as a lump, pain, nipple discharge, change in breast size or shape or previous breast cancer. If your screening mammogram does show an abnormality, you may need additional imaging like a diagnostic mammogram.

Comparison with prior imaging is key to assessing for change and accurate diagnosis. Please bring a CD of your prior studies if your prior breast health studies were performed outside of Memorial Hermann. If you need us to request your prior films from another facility, please complete a medical release of information form and return it to our facility prior to your appointment. Once received, we will request the films. A diagnostic mammogram differs from a screening mammography in that additional views of the breast are taken.

One at a time, your breasts will be positioned on a flat plate that will acquire the image. Another plate compresses your breast tissue. Dense breasts are where there is a large amount of glandular tissue present that could mask and obscure the detection of breast abnormalities.

If your doctor believes you may have dense breasts and you have a significant breast symptom, or a strong history or personal history of breast cancer, they may recommend you have a breast ultrasound see InsideRadiology: Breast ultrasound as well as a mammogram. The benefits of mammography far outweigh the risk. Multiple scientific studies have provided plenty of evidence that early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer can save lives.

Early detection increases the likelihood of a cancer being successfully treated and often allows for greater treatment options. The X-rays are taken by a radiographer medical imaging technologist , who has received specialist training in the field of mammography.

The mammograms are then read and interpreted by a radiologist a specialist doctor with training in breast imaging , who will provide your referring doctor with a report of the examination. Diagnostic mammography is carried out in hospital radiology departments, breast clinics or private radiology practices. The time it takes your doctor to receive a written report on the test or procedure will vary depending on:.

Please feel free to ask the private practice, clinic, or hospital when the written report will be provided to your doctor. It is important that you discuss the results with your doctor, either in person or on the telephone, so that they can explain what the results mean for you.

What are the generally accepted indications for week screening pregnancy ultrasound? Ultrasound at 18—20 weeks of gestation has become…. What is breast tomosynthesis? Although mammography is recognised as a reliable test for detecting breast cancer, it does have limitations.