What is it?
Breast studies for women aged 35/40 and over are carried out using mammography and possibly breast ultrasound, which are always based on the patient’s history and clinical observation.
If necessary, breast MRI and/or an interventional examination (biopsy, puncture or galactography) may also be carried out.
In young women, up to the age of 35, the first-line test is breast ultrasound, with mammography only being used in pathological situations that justify it.
Mammography is performed using a device called a mammograph.
During mammography, the breast is compressed so that its flattening makes it possible to reduce the doses of x-rays and standardize the tissues, as well as keeping the breast still.
The radiation dose is low and exposure to x-rays is quick.
In order to reduce the discomfort of compression, it is advisable to carry out this test in the first phase of the menstrual cycle.
Get to know 3D Mammography.
Diagnostic Mammography
Mammography is the most commonly used radiological examination of the breast, which may also be associated with breast ultrasound and/or puncture.
Diagnostic mammography is the test used when there is a suspicion of an abnormality.
This suspicion exists when a palpable lesion (nodule) is discovered, for example through self-examination or after studying an area previously identified in a routine mammogram.
Diagnostic Mammography can show that the abnormality (lesion) has a high probability of being benign (non-cancerous) or detect suspicious features of malignancy (cancerous), in which case a biopsy (tissue sample) is usually recommended.
Complementary tests
Breast Ultrasound
It is a complementary test to mammography, totally painless and non-irradiating, which uses ultrasound and can provide very important additional information.
It makes it very easy to detect the difference between the liquid or solid nature of a nodular opacity.
Breast ultrasound should be prescribed for young women or when an abnormality appears during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding.
Breast MRI
A breast MRI does not replace mammography and breast ultrasound, but is a complementary test in special situations, such as: diagnosis and assessment of the local extent of breast cancer, monitoring of chemotherapy or assessment of breast prostheses.
Interventional tests
In the event of a suspicious alteration in the imaging studies or to characterize non-specific images, it is necessary to resort to Interventional examinations to confirm and obtain a histological diagnosis.
These tests are complementary to mammography and breast ultrasound.
In certain cases, your doctor may suggest a puncture (this involves removing a small amount of tissue for analysis, using a fine needle) or a galactography (this consists of the progressive introduction of a contrast product (iodized) visible with X-radiation, through a ductal channel in the breast that reaches the nipple).
Any allergy (asthma, for example), any reaction to iodized products (remember a poorly tolerated radiological examination) should be reported to the technician or doctor before the examination begins.
However, it is very rare for such an injection to trigger allergic reactions.
Once the material has been collected, it is preserved in a suitable medium and sent to the Anatomy Laboratory.
After processing, the anatomopathologist will analyze and interpret the material collected and provide this information to the radiologist.
The radiologist correlates this with the imaging and sends the patient and clinician a final diagnostic assessment of the situation.
What does it detect?
Diagnostic mammography can show that a particular abnormality (lesion) has a high probability of being benign (non-cancerous) or features suspicious of malignancy (cancerous).
Preparing for Mammography
- No prior preparation is required for Breast Studies.
- On the day of the test, you shouldn’t use deodorants, creams or talcum powder in your armpits or on your breasts, as these products can cause artifacts in the test.
- You should preferably wear two pieces of clothing (blouse and skirt/pants) so that it is more practical to remove only the blouse.
- You should bring all your previous exams.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should inform the doctor or technician before the mammogram is carried out.
Whenever you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask or if you have any information that you find useful, you should also let us know.
Guidelines during Mammography
During the examination, you must remain absolutely still and hold your breath when asked to avoid the possibility of distorting the image due to movement.
Compression is necessary to immobilize the breast and even out the breast tissue, thus allowing for a better image.
Compression of the breast can sometimes cause some discomfort, but it only takes a short time.
You should feel compression, but not significant pain.
If you feel pain, inform the technician immediately.
Agreements and Prices of Mammography
- SNS / ARS (the user does not pay any fee if they have their examination at the NRD with a prescription from the Health Center);
- ADSE (user only pays the co-payment), IASFA, ADM GNR, SAD PSP;
- Insurers: Médis, Multicare, Advance Care, Allianz, Saúde Prime, Future HealthCare, SS CGD, SAMS Quadros, SAMS, Montepio, RNA, Generali, Mudum, MGEN, Aegon, Vitória, Una Seguros, other insurers.
- Health plans: Medicare, Saúde Prime, Future HealthCare, Continente Wells, ACP, other health plans.
The price varies depending on the health system or insurance you want to use.
Where to do it?
Mammography can be done at NRD (Avenida Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, nº 11-B, r/c, 1070 – 060 Lisboa – Junto à Praça de Espanha), or at the X-Clinic (Av. Eng. Duarte Pacheco, nº26 – Middle floor, 1070-110 Lisboa).