About Your Appointment

Please do not use deodorant, talcum powder, moisturiser, sunscreen, perfume or creams on your breasts or armpits. These things make it harder to see cancers on the x-ray.

If you have used something on your skin please tell the radiographer (who takes the mammogram) and they will give you a cloth to wipe it away.

You will be asked to wear a surgical mask  – if possible, please bring one with you to your appointment but if not, one will be supplied at the screening site.

Let the radiographer know if you have a cardiac device such as a pacemaker.

You will be asked to undress from the waist up. Please wear tops that are easy to take off, such as a shirt or jersey.

You will be asked to remove jewellery and taonga so you may prefer not to wear these.

When you arrive you will be given a form or iPad to check and complete your details.

Your appointment should take 20-30 minutes.

You may bring a support person or member of your family with you if you would like someone with you before and after your mammogram. It is not recommended that extra people are in the room during your mammogram.  Please inform us prior to your appointment if you will be bringing a support person as the number of people permitted on site is limited.

The text message you received with your appointment date and time also included the name of the clinic that you are attending.  Further address details for each clinic are included below:

At least two radiologists (specialist doctors) will look at the x-ray images from your mammogram to check for signs of breast cancer.

BreastScreen Aotearoa will send your results to you within 3 weeks of your screening mammogram. Your results will also be sent to your doctor unless you tell us not to. This helps your doctor stay up to date with your health.

Please call us on 0800 270 200 if your results do not arrive.

A small number of women will be asked to come back for another mammogram because their images are not clear enough or further imaging (mammogram or ultrasound) is required.

At BreastScreen Aotearoa clinics and mobile units, your rights are protected by the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights.

During breast screening and when talking to BreastScreen Aotearoa you have these rights:

1. The right to be treated with respect.
2. The right to freedom from discrimination, coercion, harassment, and exploitation.
3. The right to dignity and independence.
4. The right to services of an appropriate standard.
5. The right to effective communication.
6. The right to be fully informed.
7. The right to make an informed choice and give informed consent.
8. The right to support.
9. The right to decide if you want to be part of training, teaching or research.
10. The right to make a complaint.

You can ask for more information about your rights when you visit a BreastScreen Aotearoa clinic or mobile unit. You can also read more about your rights at www.hdc.org.nz

The Health Information Privacy Code protects your privacy. You can read about the code at www.privacy.org.nz

To find out how to make a complaint you can call BreastScreen Aotearoa on 0800 270 200 or you can contact an advocate from the Office of the Health and Disability Commission for help on 0800 11 22 33.