1. 立體乳房X光造影檢查是怎樣操作的？

放射技師會協助你把乳房放在有X光底片的平台上，儀器的塑膠皮會分別上下和左右緊壓夾著一邊乳房，為乳房組織進行X光攝影，期間你會感到數秒不適。兩邊乳房先後拍攝，每邊兩幅，方為完整的檢查。放射技師確認X光片能清楚呈現乳房組織後，拍攝便完成。報告由放射專科醫生撰寫。

I am having my first mammogram, what should I expect?

The radiographer will compress your breast between two flat surfaces. X Ray images of your breast are then taken at different angles for a few seconds. There may be slight discomfort during compression. One breast is done at a time, allowing two different xray views for each breast.

Sometimes, more images need to be taken for better evaluation. The report is written by a radiologist.

2. 立體乳房X光造影是否安全會帶有幅射嗎？

立體乳房X光造影的輻射風險極低，每次的輻射量約為0.6-0.7 毫希；相當於每人每年從自然背景所得輻射的八分之一，或坐飛機來回香港與倫敦2-4次所吸收的輻射。作為國際公認的乳腺癌檢測工具，乳房X光檢查可以檢測眼睛看不見或手感覺到的異常。通過早期發現拯救生命的好處，遠遠大於輻射的風險。

Is Mammography screening safe?

The radiation dose is low and acceptable. The dose is approximately 0.6-0.7 millisieverts (mSv), which is equivalent to one-eighth of the radiation absorbed annually from natural background radiation, or the radiation exposure from two to four round-trip flights between Hong Kong and London. As an internationally recognized tool for detecting breast cancer, the mammogram can detect abnormalities which cannot be seen by the eye or felt by the hand. The benefits of saving a life by early detection are much greater than the risks of radiation.

3. 為甚麼40歲以上的女性，必須做乳房X光造影檢查？

40歲以上的女性，乳癌病發率比年輕女性顯著高，因此應定期進行全面的乳健檢查。外國的醫學研究證實，乳房X光造影檢查可以減少乳癌死亡率二至三成，是國際間標準的乳健檢查工具，多個國家的全民乳癌普查計劃亦採用X光造影為標準檢查方法。

Why do women over 40 need mammography screening ?

The incidence rate of breast cancer increases among women aged over 40. Research has proven that screening can reduce the breast cancer mortality by 20 -30%, due to early detection and treatment.

4. 乳房超聲波掃描可以取代乳房X光造影檢查嗎？

乳房X光造影檢查和乳房超聲波的原理和用途各有不同，兩者不能互相取代，但兩者並用可互補不足。超聲波掃描是利用儀器向乳房組織輸出高頻的聲波，然後將接收的反饋聲波轉換成圖像，從而檢驗乳房內的狀況。乳房超聲波掃描可輔助X光造影以偵測腫塊為實體抑或內有液體的囊腫。唯有X光造影才可有效發現未形成腫瘤的微鈣化點。

Can ultrasound imaging substitute mammography screening?

The principles and functions of the two imaging methods are different. They cannot replace each other but are complementary.
Ultrasound imaging transmits high-frequency sound waves to the breast tissues through an apparatus, and then converts the feedback from the sound waves into an image. Ultrasound can distinguish between solid nodules and cystic lesions. Mammography can detect calcifications and architectural distortions better.

5. 若在X光造影或超聲波掃描影像中發現乳房有鈣化點或硬塊，應該怎麼辦？

若在影像檢查中發現乳房有硬塊，有機會需要從乳房硬塊抽取細胞組織樣本，進行病理分析鑑定。

If microcalcifications or a lump is found inside the breast on a mammogram or in ultrasound screening, what should I do?

If a lump is found inside the breast through the mammogram or ultrasound screening, the doctor may suggest you to extract samples of tissue from the lump for further investigation. This can be done by fine needle aspiration or core biopsy.

6.立體乳房造影真的完全「免夾」無痛嗎？

3D立體乳房造影，一般只需要較輕的力度來按壓乳房便能完成。而且，新的技術只要3-4秒，便能夠完成幾十張影像，會令可能引起的不適減到最少。但因為要避免乳房因呼吸移動，而影響照片的清晰度，及控制幅射劑量至理想的水平，有機會因應不同情況調整按壓力，在受檢查者的舒適度，與影像質素之間來取得平衡。

很多接受立體乳房造影的女士，在檢查後都認為，只有輕微不適甚或無痛楚。

Is mammography really ''clip-free'' painless?

3D Tomosynthesis mammography requires less force to compress the breast which can reduce the pain. Moreover, the new technology can complete dozens of images in just 3-4 seconds. Most women find the compression force acceptable. Women are also advised to schedule their scans 1-2 weeks after menses when the breasts are less engorged.

What is 3D mammography?