About my test
What will happen during your appointment and what to do if you need to change your appointment.
How will I know about my appointment?
Where will I have my breast screening?
This will depend on where you live:
- It might be at the Breast Screening Centre, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.
- It might be at a mobile breast screening unit near to where you live.
What does the test involve?
The breast screening test involves taking pictures of your breasts using x-rays.
This is called a mammogram.
The mammogram is looked at closely to see if anything looks different or unusual.
Who does the test?
The test is done by a female health professional.
The professional is called a mammographer.
How long will the test take?
The whole appointment will take about 30 minutes.
What happens during the appointment?
Arriving for the appointment
When you arrive for your appointment, the female mammographer will check your details and explain the test to you.
Questions?
You will be able to ask questions.
What to wear
- You should wear a loose fitting top as you will be asked to undress from waist up.
- You can cover up when you’re not having the test done.
Things to avoid
Don’t use talcum powder or spray deodorant before the test.
The mammogram
The mammogram (part 1)
The mammographer will X-ray one breast at a time.
She will position your breast between 2 special plates on the machine.
The mammogram (part 2)
The mammographer will press each breast firmly between the plates for a few seconds.
She will take 2 pictures of each breast.
You should stay as still as possible while she takes the pictures.
Stopping the test
You can ask to stop the test at any time.
Making changes to your appointment
How to change your appointment
You can change your appointment by contacting your local screening centre.
The telephone and email address is on the appointment letter.
When to phone about your appointment
You should contact the screening service when you get your appointment if you:
- Would like to bring someone with you to the test (men are not allowed to enter mobile screening units).
- Have a disability.
- Need an interpreter or any other help.
- Miss your appointment.
The contact details are on the appointment letter.
Behind the (breast) screens - breast screening on a mobile screening unit
A video by the Scottish Government
