Screening Mammography

Screening mammography is a low-dose breast X-ray for women with no symptoms, used to detect breast cancer early — often before it can be felt. It is offered to women aged 45 and over and, in the Czech programme, is covered by public insurance once every two years with a referral. The MEDIAG department at 1. poliklinika Karlovy Vary is an accredited screening site that has run the programme here since July 2003 and has completed more than 150,000 screening exams. Imaging uses the same GE Senographe Pristina with 3D tomosynthesis and DUETA patient-assisted compression. Around 80% of screens give a final answer from the mammogram alone; the remaining cases are recalled for supplementary work-up such as extra views, ultrasound or biopsy — all available on site.

Screening mammography is a preventive breast X-ray for women who have no symptoms, designed to find breast cancer at an early, more treatable stage — frequently before a lump can be felt. In the Czech national programme it is offered to every woman aged 45 and over whose last preventive mammogram was more than two years ago, and it requires a referral from a GP or gynaecologist. The MEDIAG radiodiagnostics department inside 1. poliklinika Karlovy Vary is an accredited screening centre: accreditation means it meets strict technical and personnel criteria and is regularly audited, which is what allows screening here to count toward the national programme. The site has run screening since July 2003 — shortly after the programme launched nationally in September 2002 — and has performed more than 150,000 screening mammograms, giving the team deep experience in reading subtle changes over time. Imaging is performed on a GE Senographe Pristina with low-dose 3D tomosynthesis and DUETA patient-assisted compression, the same equipment used for diagnostic studies. During the exam a radiology assistant takes standard views of each breast under brief compression; the appointment usually takes around fifteen to twenty minutes. The department notes that roughly 80% of women get a final diagnosis from the mammogram alone, while about 20% are recalled for supplementary work-up — additional mammographic views, ultrasound, ductography, MRI or biopsy — all of which can be arranged at the same centre, including the region's only SVAB stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy. The team recommends returning to the same centre for each screen so current images can be compared directly with your previous ones, which improves detection of small interval changes. On pricing: the insurance-covered screen is available once every two years; a woman who wants to repeat the screen early — after one year, before she is due — pays for it herself, and that self-pay rate is quoted by phone. Preparation is minimal: avoid deodorant, powder or cream on the breasts and underarms on the day, and bring prior images for comparison. This is a programme procedure performed on a referral; international and self-pay patients should call ahead to confirm eligibility and price.