Mammography
Mammography is a low dose x-ray of your breasts. It is used for screening and diagnosis of certain conditions that affect breast tissue. It is commonly used for the early detection of abnormal growths such as breast cancer. Mammography to detect breast cancer is done in two ways: screening mammography or diagnostic mammography.
Screening mammography
Screening mammography is mostly provided through the BreastScreen Victoria program. Screening mammography is used to look for possible breast cancer when you are well and have no obvious breast symptoms. This is because mammography can detect small tumours that you or your doctor may not be able to feel by hand. Mammograms made at different times can later be compared to show changes in breast tissue over time.
Barwon Health does not provide a screening mammography service.
Diagnostic mammography
Diagnostic mammography mostly takes place at a breast clinic or radiology practice. Diagnostic mammography means looking at a breast symptom that you or your doctor may be concerned about, such as breast pain, a lump or discharge from the nipple.
Barwon Health provides a diagnostic imaging service based at The Geelong Hospital.
For further information on mammography please go to this link.