Mammogram

A mammogram is an x-ray of your breasts. X-rays use high energy rays to take pictures of the inside of your body.

You might have mammograms:

• As part of the breast cancer screening programme
• To check for cancer if you have symptoms that could be due to breast cancer. This is called a diagnostic mammogram

Mammograms for breast screening can help to find breast cancer early when they are too small to see or feel.

You might have a mammogram if you are over 40 and have:

• A new lump or thickening in your breast or armpit
• A change in size, shape or feel of your breast
• Skin changes in the breast such as puckering, dimpling, a rash or redness of the skin
• Fluid leaking from the nipple if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding
• Changes in the position of the nipple

You usually have a mammogram alongside other tests, such as a breast examination and ultrasound scan in a breast clinic. You might also have a sample of tissue (biopsy) taken in this clinic.