Working with “Mamma”

So, I started my 2024 with a new job at the breast cancer screening center in the city of rain (Bergen). I was of course glad and excited because I’ve never operated a mammogram machine before. I’ve never been in the clinicals during my uni years so this is totally new for me. I only had the theory part at school and it’s not enough in my opinion. When I got the call from the employer, I was really surprised and I asked if they are sure about hiring me since I don’t have experience from mammography before.

Mammography is the x-ray of the breast and its purpose is to detect breast cancer. Unlike the conventional x-ray machine, the mammogram machine is more compact and uses lower radiation doses. Also, the technique for acquiring radiographic pictures is very different from the conventional one because in mammogram the part of the body to be examined (which is the breast) is compressed. Most of the women find it uncomfortable to have a mammogram because of the compression. As a radiographer, I always inform the patients of the procedure and what to expect during the examination. The patient’s task during the examination is to relax.

Unlike the conventional x-ray, taking mammogram requires radiographers to step up their patient communication skills. At the same time we should be comfortable with nakedness. This is because we work really up close with the women. We don’t just ask the patient to put their breast on the bucky but we do it for them and that means that we touch, grab and hold the breast firmly in order to acquire that optimal image.

To ask and make a woman to relax before and during the mammogram is an art and not an easy task! Because the more relaxed the patient is, the more the image would look technical good or as I’ve mentioned over-optimal. Optimal images of the breasts is important for the detection of breast cancer.

People are different. Some have higher pain threshold than others. Most of the women who come to the screening program have positive outlook to the mammogram. While some are sceptical because of the pain that they experience during the compression. There are also a few who gets angry and even threaten to sue us because of the experience. I understand them because pain can change our perception of our surroundings and the situation. Nothing personal on our part because we cannot convince everyone that the pain here is just temporary.

After the mammogram examination the patients wait for around 2 to 4 weeks for the results. Some gets selected and get an invitation letter from the hospital for an extra and thorough breast examination with a doctor.

Working with breast cancer screening has thought me a lot not just the technical aspects of taking the mammogram images but also about the women’s body specially the breasts. Also, seeing hundreds of breasts every week helped me to love my own pair. All breasts are unique just like our personality.

PS: Header image from Pexels.com