When it comes to early detection and evaluating breast changes, mammography is first in line. Regular mammography screening attributes to a 35% reduction in breast cancer death rates, making those check-ups all the more important. Our specialised digital mammogram system is thorough and painless: an x-ray of the breast is taken, producing high-resolution images, emitting minimal doses of radiation. Mammography detects in two ways: screening and diagnosis Screening mammogram – This x-ray detects breast cancer that is too small to be felt, has no symptoms and is performed on patients with no complaints. Diagnostic mammogram – This x-ray investigates any suspicious changes shown in a screening mammogram, and is performed on patients presenting symptoms – such as a lump, pain or nipple discharge. In New Zealand 90-95% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history. Therefore, booking in for an annual mammography if you’re aged 40-50 and every two-years if you’re 50+ is essential. We also recommend annual breast examinations by a GP or specialist for added peace-of-mind. Does it Hurt? The vast majority of women report that mammography is mildly uncomfortable, but not painful. Women who have tender breasts premenstrually are advised to delay mammography until after the period finishes. If you have had a painful mammogram in the past, please tell us - with improved techniques and our experienced staff, painful mammograms are now very uncommon at Mercy Breast Clinic. What to Expect Taking a high quality mammogram is a very specialised task and our female technologists are all well trained. Two x-rays are taken of each breast while the breast is held firm by a compression paddle. The compression prevents blurring from movement in the tissue and leads to a big reduction in the x-ray dose. It also helps to spread the breast tissue out, making the mammogram easier to read. At Mercy Breast Clinic we believe it is important that you are given your results as soon as possible, so there is always a radiologist present to check the films and discuss the results with you immediately. After the mammograms are checked it is sometimes necessary to take extra mammograms or to check the breast with ultrasound.

A breast ultrasound allows specialists to dig a little deeper. Sometimes a mammogram, a physical exam or an MRI may show signs of breast abnormalities that require further investigation. Some patients may also have especially dense breast tissue, in both cases, an ultrasound is the next port of call. What to Expect Our ultrasound machine uses harmless high-frequency sound waves to produce sharp, high-contrast images of the internal breast structure. This allows us to distinguish between benign (non-cancerous) lesions and malignant (cancerous) growths. Ultrasound is a very safe type of imaging which is why it is used during pregnancy. After you lie down on the ultrasound bed, the Radiologist or Sonographer will spread a water-based jelly on your skin over the area to be examined. The ultrasound probe is then placed on the jelly, which is a sound conductor, to obtain the pictures. You will be completely unaware of the sound waves produced by the probe.

Not everyone who undergoes a breast biopsy has breast cancer, but it is the most accurate way to study cells close up. If an examination, mammogram or ultrasound reveals a lump in a patient's breast or suspect areas, a specialist may remove a sample of tissue to check for cancer. There is more than one biopsy procedure – some use a needle, some an incision. Our specialists will determine which is the best biopsy for you based on the size and location of the lump or suspicious area. Open Excisional A small incision (cut) is made as close as possible to the lump and the lump, together with a surrounding margin of tissue, is removed for examination. If the lump is large, only a portion of it may be removed. Fine Needle Aspiration and Core Needle Biopsy Both these procedures involve inserting a needle through your skin into the breast lump and removing a sample of tissue for examination.

Surgery is the next step up in treating breast cancer and it can be an emotional, mental and physical journey for patients. Some women may not have undergone surgery before, some may be opting for preventative surgery, we understand that each patient is unique and must receive support that is akin to their situation. Our staff will be by your hand and on hand before, during and after your procedure. Before any of our patients undergo breast surgery, we ensure they are well equipped with all the information and guidance they need going forward. We also help organise and plan post-operative care, ensuring minimal stress and a smoother recovery. Simple or Total Mastectomy All breast tissue, skin and the nipple are surgically removed but the muscles lying under the breast and the lymph nodes are left in place. Modified Radical Mastectomy All breast tissue, skin and the nipple as well as some lymph tissue are surgically removed. Partial Mastectomy The breast lump and a portion of other breast tissue (up to one quarter of the breast) as well as lymph tissue are surgically removed. Lumpectomy The breast lump and surrounding tissue, as well as some lymph tissue, are surgically removed. When combined with radiation treatment, this is known as breast-conserving surgery.

A sentinel node procedure is performed when specialists suspect cancer may have spread to a patient's lymph nodes. This involves a: Sentinel Node Study Sentinel Node Biopsy – During the procedure, a surgeon will study the sentinel node or nodes –or first few nodes – that filter fluid away from the breast. If there are cancer cells in the lymphatic system, the sentinel node is the most likely to contain them. If the sentinel node is clear of cancerous cells, there’s a good chance the other nodes are free of cancer too. Read more here

When a breast has been removed (mastectomy) because of cancer or other disease, it is possible in most cases to reconstruct a breast similar to a natural breast. A breast reconstruction can be performed as part of the breast removal operation or can be performed months or years later. There are two methods of breast reconstruction: one involves using an implant; the other uses tissue taken from another part of your body. There may be medical reasons why one of these methods is more suitable for you or, in other cases, you may be given a choice. Implants A silicone sack filled with either silicone gel or saline (salt water) is inserted underneath the chest muscle and skin. Before being inserted, the skin will sometimes need to be stretched to the required breast size. This is done by placing an empty bag where the implant will finally go, and gradually filling it with saline over weeks or months. The bag is then replaced by the implant in an operation that will probably take 2-3 hours under general anaesthesia (you will sleep through it). You will probably stay in hospital for 2-5 days. Flap Reconstruction A skin flap taken from another part of the body such as your back, stomach or buttocks, is used to reconstruct the breast. This is a more complicated operation than having an implant and may last up to 6 hours and require a 5- to 7-day stay in hospital.