Investigating Breast Lumps - Mammograms

As mentioned elsewhere in the section entitled Mammography (Breast X-ray), mammograms (Figure 6) are difficult to interpret in young women (below the age of 35). Therefore the specialist may not suggest this test in a younger woman who has a lump in the breast, unless there is a very strong family history of breast cancer.

A cancer usually appears as a white shadow with an irregular edge and with breast distortion, or as fine white spots (called micro-calcifications). It is important to know that a normal mammogram does not exclude cancer – up to 15% of breast cancers are missed by mammography. Digital mammography with computer-aided detection has recently been introduced in some centres.

The technology achieves better image quality and allows easier storage, transmission and manipulation of images.