The mammogram provides a picture of the inside of the breast. The picture is then examined by a radiologist, who is trained to detect any abnormalities. Diagnostic mammograms are one of a number of tests a doctor may use to investigate breast symptoms. Screening mammograms are used to detect early breast changes that may be cancer, even when there are no breast symptoms. Screening mammograms are most effective for women aged 50 years or more.
Breast tissue changes during a woman s life.
These changes affect the clarity of the mammogram, making it much clearer in older women. The density of breast tissue in younger women often makes a mammogram very difficult to interpret. These factors, combined with the increasing incidence of breast cancer with age, makes population-based screening mammography effective for older women. Genetic testing raises complex issues, and specialist medical services have been established in Victoria to assist families who have a strong history of breast cancer. A small proportion of these families may carry altered genes that increase the risk of developing breast cancer.