Radiographers in mammography
Who they are, what they do and which devices they use: a research-based profile for recruiting this target group for MedTech and pharma projects.
Overview
Radiographers perform mammography in screening and in diagnostic breast imaging, while radiologists report the images. The core of their work is correct positioning and compression of the breast, which improves image quality and lowers dose. They assess image quality against programme criteria, recognise and avoid artefacts and take additional views where needed. Daily and weekly constancy checks on the mammography unit are part of their tasks. In screening they take part in the administrative processes and know the further workup up to biopsy.
Profession by country
Fields of use and typical tasks
Mammographie
Evidence from: DE, AT, CH
- Take screening mammography images
- Mark clinical abnormalities during imaging
- Carry out physical-technical quality assurance tasks
- Perform digital screening mammograms
- Prepare patients, explain the procedure and position them
- Balance exam parameters between image quality and dose and apply radiation protection
Specializations
Devices and systems they use
Who they work with
- Radiologists (reporting)
- Referring physicians
Frequently asked questions
Who operates the mammography unit?
The radiographer takes the images, the radiologist reports them.
Who checks equipment quality in daily routine?
Daily and weekly constancy checks are part of the screening training for radiographers.
Do radiographers need additional training for screening?
Yes, a screening course with a placement at a reference centre is a prerequisite for working in screening.
How long does an examination take?
According to one patient leaflet about 30 minutes, usually with two images per breast.
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Related target groups
Same work area
Same specialty
Sources
- Grundkurs Mammografie Screening, medi, Zentrum für medizinische Bildung, Bildungsgang Medizinisch-Technische Radiologie HF (mit SVMTR und SwissCancerScreening) (CH)
- Mammographie (Patienteninformation), Spitalzentrum Biel, Institut für medizinische Radiologie (CH)
- Anlage 9.2 BMV-Ä: Versorgung im Rahmen des Programms zur Früherkennung von Brustkrebs durch Mammographie-Screening, Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung und GKV-Spitzenverband; bereitgestellt von der KV Schleswig-Holstein (DE)
- Screeningprogramm: Brustkrebsfrüherkennung, Bundesministerium für Arbeit, Soziales, Gesundheit, Pflege und Konsumentenschutz (oesterreich.gv.at) (AT)
- Infoblatt Mammographie, Salzburger Landeskliniken, Radiologie Landesklinik Tamsweg (AT)
- Radiologietechnologin / Radiologietechnologe, Gesundheitsportal Österreich (gesundheit.gv.at) (AT)
- Mammographie-Screening in der Schweiz: Wie ist es organisiert und wer macht was?, Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Radiologie (SGR-SSR) (CH)
- Radiologie: Mammografie (Patienteninformation), Spital STS AG, Spital Thun, Institut für Radiologie (CH)
- ASRT Practice Standards for Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (Abschnitt Mammography), American Society of Radiologic Technologists (US)
- Your Radiology Specialists, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida (US)
- 201 KAR 46:035. Practice standards, scopes of practice, and ethical standards (proposed), Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (US)