Mammography | Philips Healthcare

Schedule your low-dose mammogram. Do it for you.

Did you know that mammograms can spot tumors up to two years before you can feel them? Or that when detected early, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is 98 percent?¹

So why – despite these facts – did only half of U.S. women ages 40 and older get an annual mammogram last year?²

Some popular reasons:

“I’m concerned it will hurt.”
“I’m worried about radiation.”
“Breast cancer doesn’t run in my family.”
“I don’t want to get bad news.”
“I’m just too busy.”

No matter why you’ve put off getting your mammogram, there’s a reason to move this potentially life-saving exam right to the top of your to-do list – the MicroDose Mammography system from Philips.

Browsing through this portal webpage, you will get the answers to the questions you might have regarding your mammography examination and MicroDose Mammography. Learn all about what to expect and how to prepare for your first time as well as the potential results.

See a MicroDose Mammography examination.

Read what recent study results have shown about how women make mammography decisions.

Download case study

What is MicroDose Mammography?

MicroDose Mammography is a type of X-ray machine for low-dose mammography used in more than 24 countries worldwide. It uses a unique technique called photon counting, based on research at the CERN in Geneva, Switzerland and KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. This provides excellent quality images at low dose and offers several benefits for a woman undergoing mammography. It was designed in close collaboration with both clinical staff and patients to provide high ergonomics.

Microdose Mammogprahy
Microdose Mammogprahy

Why does it make a difference?

A mammography examination with Philips MicroDose Mammography means a dose reduction of 18 to 50% compared to that used on other digital mammography systems, with an average dose reduction of 40%*, while providing your doctor with outstanding quality images.3,4, 5, 6 So your doctor can make a confident diagnosis, and you can feel confident that you are getting a low radiation dose.

Low dose mammography can enhance the efficiency of screening programs by increasing the diagnostic confidence of clinicians and also by avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure.

Francesca Cefali‐Bain, a 48‐year‐old breast cancer survivor says, “I felt reassured when I was told there would be low radiation dose. This is something I’m doing annually.”

Also MicroDose Mammography has a slightly curved surface where the breast is placed for the X‐ray.

Because you will be leaning into the machine a little, this provides comfort since the surface fits the curvature of the upper body and ribs better, compared to other systems which have a completely straight surface.

Furthermore, the contact area with your breast is nicely warmed to body temperature. The benefit of this is not only that it provides comfort for you as a patient, but since you may be more relaxed, it will facilitate the staff in taking care of you to position you correctly and get a good quality image. This may help to avoid having to do extra images, which sometimes is the case when the breast is not positioned correctly the first time.

What’s more, MicroDose not only provides comfort, it also makes exams easy for your doctor and the other staff working at your breast clinic. Examinations are quick and the system is easy to work with, benefiting both you and the radiographer.
Low-dose mammogprahy
Low-dose mammogprahy

Schedule your low-dose mammogram. Do it for you.

All types of X-ray exams, including mammography, involve exposure to radiation. Breast tissue is sensitive to radiation, and therefore it is important that the dose is as low as possible. Some women may have concerns about being exposed to radiation during mammograms. What is important to consider is that with all types of mammography, even with the older, analogue equipment (as opposed to digital), there is no doubt that the benefits of mammography clearly outweigh any drawbacks of exposure.

Good mammography screening programs can reduce breast cancer mortality by 40%.

And low-dose mammography can enhance the efficiency of screening programs by not only increasing the diagnostic confidence of clinicians, but also by avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure.

Compared to that used on other digital mammography systems, a mammography examination with Philips MicroDose Mammography means a radiation dose of 18 to 50% lower, with an average dose reduction of 40%* - all while providing outstanding quality images.
Early detection
Early detection

The importance of early detection

Each year, more than one million women are diagnosed with breast cancer. The average lifetime risk is about 1 in 8 women. Or when detected early,the five-year survival rate for breast cancer is of 98 percent.

The earlier a tumor is diagnosed, the greater the chances of survival. Mammography is the most effective method of early detection. Studies show that mammograms can spot tumors up to three years before they might be detectable by feel, greatly improving the prognosis.

Early detection of breast cancer also means a wider range of treatment options, including less aggressive surgery and adjuvant therapy.

If there is a screening program where you live, you will be called regularly for a screening mammogram examination – usually every year or every two years, starting at age 40 or 50. You can also talk to your general practitioner or gynecologist about getting a mammogram.
Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer

Breast cancer

Recent years have seen an explosion of life-saving treatments to combat breast cancer, bringing new hope and excitement. Instead of a few options, today there is an overwhelming menu of treatments to fight breast cancer.

When your breast cancer diagnosis is completed, you and your doctor will put together a treatment plan specific to your situation. This plan is usually a combination of one or more specific treatments intended to target the cancer cells in different ways.

This is to reduce the risk of future breast cancer recurrence. You and your doctor will base your treatment decisions on your unique situation.

Treating breast cancer successfully means destroying the cancer or bringing it under control for an extended period of time. But because a breast cancer is made up of many different kinds of cancer cells, eliminating all those cells can require different types of treatments.

What is a screening mammogram?

A screening mammogram is a breast X-ray examination for women with no symptoms. The purpose is to detect rumors while they are too small to be felt by a woman or her doctor...

How to perform a breast self-examination

About 25-35% of breast cancers are found by the patient, so reporting symptoms to your doctor is smart. However, a breast self-examination does not replace your screening mammogram, which will detect tiny lumps long before they can be felt.

To examine your breasts, you can use the step-by-step breast self-examination technique described here. Women with breast implants can also do the examination. Ask your surgeon to help you identify the implant’s edges so you know exactly what you are feeling.

You should examine your breasts every month, preferably a few days after your period ends to allow any swelling or tenderness to subside. If you are not menstruating, it is important to do the examination on the same day each month.

It is essential that you get to know the look and feel of your breasts, and that you tell your doctor about any changes you notice. However, remember that a change in your breast is not necessarily an indication of cancer.

The use of Philips MicroDose mammography SI system with Spectral Breast Density Measurement, means your screening mammogram will be quick, targeted, and at a low radiation dose.

Step 1: begin by looking at...

Step 1 – Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror

You should check that your breasts are:

their usual size, shape and color
evenly shaped, without visible distortion or swellin

If you see any of the following changes, tell your doctor:

dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
a nipple that has changed position, or an inverted nipple
redness, soreness, rash, or swelling

Step 2: now raise your arms

Step 2 – Now raise your arms

And look for the same changes, gently squeeze each nipple and check for discharge.

Step 3a: Circular motion

Step 3 – Next, feel your breasts while lying down

Using your right hand to feel your left breast, and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the middle three fingers of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together.

Cover the entire breast —from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage. Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast.

3a. Circular motion

Circular motion: begin at the nipple, moving in increasing circles.

Step 3b: Linear motion

Step 3 – Next, feel your breasts while lying down

Using your right hand to feel your left breast, and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the middle three fingers of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Cover the entire breast —from your collarbone to the top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage. Follow a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast.

3b. Linear motion

Linear motion: move your fingers up and down vertically in a pattern of rows. Use a soft touch for tissue just beneath the skin, and a firmer touch for deeper tissue. Begin examining each area with a very soft touch, then increase the pressure so that you can feel the deeper tissue, down to your ribcage.

Videos

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