Mammogram
A mammogram is a type of X-ray of the breast. The specialist mammography radiographer will ask you to undress to the waist in the mammography room. You will be asked to stand in front of the mammography machine and 2 images of each breast will be taken - one from the front and one from the side. The breast is compressed between 2 plates to flatten it and to get as much detail on the images as possible. Some people find having a mammogram uncomfortable, but the test takes only a few seconds. Our machine is a state of the art Digital Mammography Unit, enabling us to reduce both the radiation dose and the examination time for patients. It also significantly improves on comfort as the compression times are kept to an absolute minimum.

Breast Ultrasound Scan
You will be asked to undress to the waist and lay on a couch with your arm above your head. Some jelly will be put onto your b reast and the scanning probe will be moved around your breast (this is the same technique that is used to look at babies in the womb during pregnancy).

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)
This test involves taking a sample of the cells from the area of the breast that we are investigating. Not everyone needs this test. FNAC is done using a fine needle and syringe. The cells are spread onto a microscope slide and sent to the laboratory to be examined. FNAC can be uncomfortable but does not usually need a local anaesthetic.

Needle Core Biopsy
Some doctors may follow up the FNAC with a Needle Core Biopsy. This procedure uses a larger needle so that more tissue can be taken from the suspicious area, which means that more detailed tests can be done on the sample. You will be given a local anaesthetic first, this will numb the area. The local anaesthetic is given under the skin with a tiny needle. You may find afterwards, that your breast aches and is bruised later. You won’t need stitches and you will be fit to go home afterwards. You will have a dressing put over the area which you should keep dry and remove after 48 hours. The nurse in the clinic will give you more information about this.