The Mammotest, what is this?

The Mammotest is simply a radiological breast examination, also known as a mammogram. The examination is carried out every two years. It is free. This is an efficient test to detect breast cancer in women aged 50 to 69 years who do not have genetic or familial risk.

Why a test?
The Mammotest provides the opportunity to divide women into two groups: women who need no further examinations (negative Mammotest), and women for whom additional examinations are required (positive Mammotest).

What if the test is positive?
The Mammotest is positive in 10% of women. In the case of a positive Mammotest, other examinations must be carried out: very often an ultrasound is sufficient to reassure. Sometimes a biopsy is required. In 9.5 out of 10 cases, a positive Mammotest is not cancer. But these additional examinations are required for certainty.

If the test is positive and it turns out to be cancer? 
1 positive Mammotest out of 20 is cancer. Precisely in this case, the detection has been truly useful, as it provided the opportunity to discover the cancer earlier. The treatment is therefore more efficient and easier to tolerate, and the chance of recovery is much greater.