Mammogram in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is an X-ray picture of the breast, taken with a low dose of radiation while the breast is gently pressed between two flat plates. The pressing spreads the breast tissue out so that small changes can be seen clearly, and it allows a lower radiation dose to be used.
Mammograms are used in two ways. A screening mammogram is for women with no breast symptoms, to find breast cancer early, often before a lump can be felt. A diagnostic mammogram is for a woman or man with a breast symptom, such as a lump, and may include extra views of one area. Mammography can show tiny specks of calcium, called microcalcifications, that are sometimes the earliest sign of a cancer, long before anything can be felt by hand.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, mammography is part of the Radiology department, and every mammogram is reported by a radiologist, a doctor specialising in reading medical images.
Who needs it
Screening mammograms are for women at average risk from their forties onwards. UAE national screening guidance invites women aged 40 to 69 for a screening mammogram every two years. Your doctor may advise starting earlier, or screening more often, if you have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, a known inherited gene change, or previous radiotherapy to the chest.
A diagnostic mammogram is arranged when there is a change that needs checking, including:
- A new lump or thickening in the breast or armpit
- A change in the size or shape of one breast
- Skin dimpling, puckering or redness that persists
- A nipple that has turned inwards, or a discharge from the nipple, particularly if bloodstained
- A result from a screening mammogram that needs a closer look
For women under 40 with a breast symptom, an ultrasound scan is usually the first test, because younger breast tissue is denser and shows up better on ultrasound. Mammography and ultrasound are often used together.
Pink October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is a common time for women in the UAE to arrange their screening. A screening mammogram is valuable at any time of year, so arrange it when it is due rather than waiting for the campaign.
What happens
A mammogram at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah is performed by a radiographer in a private room. You undress to the waist and wear a gown that opens at the front.
The radiographer positions one breast at a time on the lower plate, then brings the upper plate down to press the breast firmly for a few seconds while the image is taken. Two pictures of each breast are usually taken, one from above and one from the side at an angle. The pressure can feel uncomfortable or briefly painful, and it lasts only while each image is being taken. You can tell the radiographer at any point if it becomes too uncomfortable.
The whole appointment is usually short. After the images are taken, the radiographer checks they are clear before you leave. Occasionally an extra picture is needed straight away, for example to bring the whole breast into view, and this is a routine part of getting clear pictures.
If you have a breast symptom, a breast ultrasound may be carried out at the same visit, and in some cases a radiologist examines the area with ultrasound to guide next steps.
Mammograms are arranged through a doctor's request. The doctor who usually requests them is your family doctor or General Medicine doctor, a gynecologist in Gynecology and Obstetrics, or a breast surgeon for a known breast problem.
Preparing for it
- Choose the right week. If you still have periods, arrange the mammogram for the week after your period ends, when breasts are least tender.
- Skip deodorant, talc, perfume and body lotion on your chest and underarms on the day. These products contain tiny particles that can appear on the image as white specks, looking like calcium deposits and leading to extra views.
- Wear a two-piece outfit, so you only need to remove your top.
- Bring previous mammograms, including reports and images from other hospitals or countries. Comparing with earlier images is one of the most useful parts of reading a mammogram, and it often avoids an unnecessary recall.
- Tell the radiographer if you are pregnant or might be, if you are breastfeeding, if you have breast implants, or if you have had breast surgery or a biopsy before. Women with implants have extra views taken with the implant gently moved aside.
Afterwards
You can dress and return to your normal day immediately, with no restrictions. Some women feel mild breast tenderness for a short time after the compression.
The radiologist reviews your images, comparing them with any previous mammograms, and a report is sent to the doctor who requested the test. That doctor explains the result and any next step. If more pictures are needed, you are contacted and invited back for further views, a breast ultrasound or, occasionally, a biopsy.
Between mammograms, stay familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel. Contact your doctor promptly if you notice a new lump, skin or nipple change, or discharge, even if your last mammogram was clear.
Cost and insurance
Most UAE health insurance plans cover a diagnostic mammogram when a doctor requests it for a breast symptom. Cover for screening mammograms varies by plan: some include them from a set age, some require the request to come from a doctor, and some exclude screening without symptoms. Check your plan before the appointment, and ask whether pre-approval is needed. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the risks and limits of a mammogram?
A mammogram uses a low dose of X-ray radiation, and for women in the screening age range the benefit of finding cancer early is considered to outweigh this small risk. A mammogram can miss some cancers, especially in dense breasts, and it can also show changes that turn out to be harmless after further tests. Screening works best when repeated at regular intervals.
Does a mammogram hurt?
A mammogram can be uncomfortable or briefly painful because the breast is pressed firmly for a few seconds for each image. The pressure is short and needed for a clear picture with a lower radiation dose. Arranging the mammogram for the week after a period, when breasts are less tender, usually makes it more comfortable.
How much radiation does a mammogram use?
A mammogram uses a low dose of radiation, a small amount compared with many other X-ray examinations and far less than a CT scan. Ultrasound and MRI use no ionising radiation and are sometimes used alongside mammography. Tell the radiographer before the test if you are pregnant or might be.
Does being called back after a mammogram mean I have cancer?
Being called back after a screening mammogram is common, and most women who are recalled do not have breast cancer. A recall usually means an area needs a closer look with extra views or an ultrasound, often because of overlapping tissue or a harmless cyst. The additional tests give a clearer answer.
What does dense breast tissue mean on a mammogram?
Dense breast tissue means the breast has more glandular and supportive tissue than fat, which is common and normal, especially in younger women. Dense tissue appears white on a mammogram, as can a cancer, so small changes are harder to see. Your doctor may suggest an ultrasound as well.
Can I have a mammogram with breast implants?
Women with breast implants can have mammograms, with extra views taken while the implant is gently moved aside to show more breast tissue. Tell the radiographer about implants when the appointment is arranged and again before the test starts.
Is a mammogram covered by insurance in the UAE?
Most UAE insurance plans cover a diagnostic mammogram requested by a doctor for a breast symptom, while cover for screening without symptoms varies by plan and age. Check your plan and any pre-approval requirement. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
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