Mammography is an effective procedure for detecting many types of breast disease, particularly breast cancer. It involves taking a special x-ray picture, called a mammogram, of your breast.

The Canadian Cancer Society and the Ontario Breast Screening Program recommend that all women, between the ages of 50 and 69, have a mammogram every one to two years. Mammography can also be performed on men or younger women that have specific breast problems and women with a strong family history of breast cancer.

Pregnant women should not have a mammogram.

Avoid the use of any deodorant, powders, creams or ointments on the day of your exam, as they may contain ingredients that interfere with the quality of the mammogram.

It's best to wear a two-piece outfit, such as a blouse and skirt or slacks, as you will be asked to undress from the waist up.

If you routinely experience breast tenderness prior to your period, schedule your mammogram for the middle of your cycle. You may also wish to take a painkiller such as Aspirin or Tylenol an hour before your appointment.

Our staff of female technologists who have special training in breast imaging. Our staff is specially trained to help you relax and answer your questions.

After registering with the receptionist you will be given a gown and asked to remove your clothing from the waist up. You will be taken into the mammography room where the technologist will position your breast on the machine. In order to achieve the clearest picture, the technologist must compress your breast. This involves easing your breast tissue away from the chest wall and compressing it to a uniform thickness.

The procedure takes only a few seconds for each breast. Any tightness you feel usually disappears immediately. The compression does not harm the breast tissue.

After the x-rays are taken the technologist will examine them to make sure she has a good picture. If any are not clear, or if there are questionable abnormalities, she may take extra films. This may be done during the same visit, or you may be called back for another visit. Sometimes we use breast ultrasound, as well, to clarify the situation.

All x-rays involve receiving a controlled amount of radiation.

The results are interpreted by one of our radiologists (a doctor who specializes in reading x-ray and other images and doing procedures requiring imaging). The results are sent to the doctor who ordered the Mammogram by courier or fax. Arrangements to discuss the results of the mammogram can be made with the doctor that ordered the exam.

London X-Ray Associates is a site location for the Ontario Breast Screening Program. This means that we perform mammograms for the Ontario Breast Screening Program at our 450 Central Ave. office and our 595 Bradley Ave. location. We have a nurse on site to perform a clinical breast examination, and answer questions.

Women 50 years or older that are an Ontario resident and do not have acute breast symptoms, have not had a mammogram within the last 12 months and have no history of breast implants and no previous breast cancer.

It provides an organized, comprehensive breast screening service for women 50 years and older, which includes:

• screening mammography at a CAR accredited facility
• physical breast examination by a certified nurse examiner
• instruction and literature on breast self-examination
• an automatic invitation to return in two years
• screening results sent to both the woman and her physician
• physician and self referrals

Call the Ontario Breast Screening office at 519-432-0247.

For more information visit the Ontario Breast Screening Program website at www.cancercare.on.ca.