Myths & Facts

Mammograms expose you to a dangerous level of radiation that can cause cancer. Technical advancements in mammography equipment improved both technique and results, producing studies that are high in quality, but lower in radiation exposure. The radiation exposure of a mammogram equals to about two months of background radiation for the average woman. The radiation from annual screening mammogram is justified by the benefit of early detection of breast cancer, which in turn opens up a myriad of treatment options, which ultimately leads to a decrease in the breast cancer mortality rate. Don’t be afraid to raise any concerns that you may have with your healthcare provider.

I don’t need to go for a mammogram because I have no symptoms or a family history of breast cancer. 1 in 25 women in South Africa may develop breast cancer. More than 75% of women who have breast cancer have no family history. If you wait for symptoms to show before going for a mammogram, the cancer may be more advanced at that point and treatment options limited. Early detection of breast cancer through mammographic screening is key to provide more treatment options, less surgical intervention, and a better quality of life and survival rate.

I have breast implants. A mammogram may damage them. If you have breast implants, please raise this with your healthcare provider before your appointment. You will be assisted by a mammographer that is expertly trained in working with patients with implants. The mammographer will ensure that your breast implants are not harmed. Special protocols are followed for patients with breast implants, which produce high quality images for the radiologist. The integrity of your breast prosthesis will be examined on ultrasound by our highly skilled sonographers.

If I do breast self-examination, I do not need to go for a mammogram. The gold standards to identify breast cancer early is an annual mammogram and breast ultrasound, for women over the age of 40 years. A monthly breast self-examination, Is also important, but alone are not enough. It has been shown that by the time the patient feels a lump, it is already 2 to 3 cm in size! The goal of a mammogram is to find breast cancer even before it is even noticed by the examining clinician or patient. Breast self-examination should commence under the age of 30 years. This allows you to detect any changes early.

Women with small breasts are less likely to develop breast cancer. There is no evidence to show that women with small breasts are less likely to develop breast cancer. When it comes to breast cancer developing, size does not matter. Small breasts still contain fibroglandular tissue, wherein breast cancer can develop. Although very small breasts tend to be more difficult to examine, the mammographers are expertly trained in working with women who have very small or large breasts.

I went for my mammogram last year, so I don’t need to go for another one this year. Mammographic screening is detection of early stage breast cancers. Breast cancer can develop in any stage of life, and thus, one negative mammogram does not mean you won’t develop breast cancer later on. An annual mammogram increases the chance of detecting breast cancer at an early stage. Early detection of breast cancer through mammographic screening is key to provide more treatment options, less surgical intervention, and a better quality of life and survival rate.