Introduction: Sharing personal experiences to help readers better understand the process

As a woman who has had the experience of receiving a 3D mammogram referral from HA, I know that this process is fraught with uncertainty and anxiety for many. In this article, I will share my complete experience in detail, from getting a referral letter to confirming the follow-up follow-up, and hope that it will help more women understand the whole process and reduce unnecessary tension. According to the Hong Kong Cancer Registry, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Hong Kong, with more than 4,000 new cases occurring each year. When you are facing such a health threat, regular medical examinations are even more important. In this article, we will specifically mention the services of the Women's Diagnostic Imaging Center, the application of ultrasound, and the actual experience of referrals to 3D mammograms by hospital authorities, hoping to provide a practical reference for women who are about to undergo the examination.超聲波 造影

My Referral Experience: How do I get a letter of reference?

My exam journey began with a routine gynecological check-up. The doctor noticed a slight abnormality in the breast tissue during palpation and recommended that he undergo further imaging tests. Because I was eligible for screening by HA, my doctor issued me a referral on the spot and I was able to have a 3D mammography test at the designated Diagnostic Women's Imaging Centre. Hong Kong's public healthcare system allows women over the age of 40 and high-risk groups with a family history to receive referrals from Hawaiians, usually through their family doctor or specialist. The validity period of the referral letter is usually 3 months, and it is recommended to book it as soon as possible to avoid the expiration date. My doctor also explained the benefits of 3D mammography (also called tomography): it provides clearer images, reduces false positive results caused by overlapping tissues, and is particularly effective in detecting dense breasts. This gave me a basic idea of future checkups and also reduced my anxiety a little.

Your own condition and the advice of your doctor

I am the type with dense breast tissue that is common in Asian women. The doctor explained that in this case, 3D technology can improve accuracy to 90% or more, compared to the fact that traditional 2D mammography can have a diagnostic error rate of about 15%. Also, I have mild breast pain, so my doctor recommended that I might need an ultrasound in addition to a mammogram. Ultrasound is especially effective in distinguishing a cyst from a parenchymal tumor and is suitable for young women and pregnant women, as it is not radiated. The doctor patiently answered all of my questions, including the radiation dose tested (equivalent to several months of natural background radiation), the level of pain that could occur, etc., which gave me a reasonable sense of anticipation for the test. He emphasized that even if the test result is abnormal, it is not the same as a cancer diagnosis, and that further tests will be required to confirm it in the future, and I learned to approach the screening with a more rational attitude.

Booking Process: Hospital, Select Schedule

After receiving the letter of introduction, I started making appointments. There are several public hospitals and diagnostic imaging centers for women that offer 3D mammography services in Hong Kong, and I chose a hospital close to my home. Bookings can be made by phone or through HA's electronic booking system, but I choose the latter because I can see the available time slots in real-time. It is worth noting that in public hospitals the waiting times can be long, and my appointment was scheduled for 6 weeks later. If you're pressed for time, consider the following options:

• Ask if there is a waitlist that should be removed
• Consider going to other hospitals with shorter waiting times
• In case of emergency, consult a doctor

I chose to get checked one week after my period ended. This is because the sensitivity of the breasts is poor, which makes the procedure more comfortable. I was also told not to use metal ingredients such as antiperspirant, perfume, and body lotion on the day of the consultation because they could affect image quality. In addition, it is recommended to wear separate clothing (tops + pants/skirt) so that it is easy to change the gown.

Tips for booking

After this experience, I've come up with some practical booking tips: First, Mondays and Fridays are usually the fullest, and there may be more vacancies in the Tuesday through Thursday morning slots. Second, if you choose to get tested at a women's diagnostic imaging center, some centers offer evening and Saturday services that are suitable for office workers. The most important thing is to take the initiative to mention any special circumstances such as breastfeeding, breast implants, mobility issues, etc. at the time of the appointment so that you can prepare the center in advance. We also found that the HA website has a table of waiting times for each hospital, which can help you make a more informed choice.

On the day of the exam: process, emotions, small steps

On the day of check-in, we arrived 30 minutes early for check-in. The nurse first checked my referral letter and identification, then took me to the changing room and changed into a special gown (only the top half of my clothes was taken off). The radiologist then described the procedure in detail: each breast is photographed from a different angle and the breast is flattened on the platform of the machine for about a few seconds. There was some discomfort, but the actual pain was much lighter than I expected, more like a momentary feeling of pressure. The technician is very professional and adjusts the pressure according to my tolerance and reminds me to take a deep breath before each compression. Shooting takes about 15 minutes, after which a technician will check the image quality and make sure that there is no need for reshooting. My breast tissue is dense, so the doctor recommended an additional ultrasound, which took about 20 minutes. In ultrasound, the technician applies a gel to the breast and scans it with a probe, which is completely painless.

How to reduce tension

For a woman who is being examined for the first time, nervousness is inevitable. I find the following methods helpful: Know each step in advance and always ask your healthcare provider if you are unsure. Bring a friend or relative who will support you in the waiting room. Practice the technique of deep breathing and exhale slowly at the moment of compression. It should be remembered that the temporary discomfort of the examination far outweighs the risk of delaying the diagnosis. The environment of the exam hall was also warmly designed, and the walls were plastered with encouraging posters, magazines and drinking water, which eased my anxiety. In particular, it is worth mentioning that the psychological comfort of examinations that require physical exposure is greatly improved, since all the staff are women.

Inspection Process Considerations

In my experience, there are some practical tips on the day of the exam: Avoid consuming caffeine as it can increase breast sensitivity. Wear clothes that are easy to put on and take off, and avoid dresses. Bring your previous breast exam report (if any) with you so that your doctor can easily compare them. There may be slight tenderness or redness in the chest after the test, but it usually disappears within a few hours, so you may want to consider scheduling a half-day break after the test. If you plan to do ultrasound at the same time, it is recommended to take at least 1.5 hours in total. After the examination, the technician informed me that the report would be sent to the referring doctor within 7-10 business days and that any abnormalities would be addressed first.

Report interpretation and follow-up

About 10 days later, I received a call from my doctor informing me that the results of my 3D mammography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography were BI-RADS category 2 (benign findings) and that regular follow-up was recommended. The doctor patiently explained the terms of the report and answered all my questions. In particular, she pointed out that my breast tissue density is category C (heterogeneous and dense), which is more common in women under 40 years of age, but has a slightly increased risk of breast cancer (about 1.5 to 2 times higher than the average woman), so she recommended that I get screened regularly every year. If the report shows anomalies, the following steps are usually required:

• BI-RADS 0: Additional imaging required
• BI-RADS 3: Short-term follow-up within 6 months
• BI-RADS 4 or 5: Consider a biopsy

Your doctor will also conduct an individual risk assessment, taking into account your age, family history, lifestyle, etc., and recommend that you have an annual 3D mammogram after the age of 40, and you can see a doctor at any time if you have any unusual symptoms. This clear guidance has allowed me to develop a more scientific management plan for my breast health.

How to communicate with a doctor

When discussing the results of the test with the doctor, I learned some effective communication skills. Uncleared medical terminology: Ask your doctor to explain it in plain language. Ask to see your own image (many centers now offer an electronic version). Understand the clinical significance of different outcome options. Discuss an individual screening plan. My doctor also recommended several reliable sources of breast cancer information in Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation website and the Hawaiian University's Breast Health page.醫 管 局 轉 介 3d mammogram

Advice and encouragement for other women

After this checkup, I realized the importance of regular breast checkups. Many women delay testing for fear of pain or bad results, but early detection of breast cancer can lead to a cure rate of 90% or more. I want to say to all women, you deserve to get a healthy body, and temporary discomfort is an investment in your long-term health. In particular, the following high-risk groups should be screened:

• Women over 40 years old
• Have a family history of breast cancer (especially in the first grade)
• BRCA Gene Mutation Carriers
• Those who have undergone radiation therapy to the chest

The latest 3D mammography technology dramatically improves the accuracy and comfort of the examination, and the medical staff is trained to minimize your discomfort. Remember that taking an examination is not a sign of weakness, but a courageous act of taking responsibility for yourself.

The Importance of Early Screening

According to data from the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer patients detected early (stage 1) is more than 99%, while only about 30% is found in stage 4. This large disparity highlights the value of regular screening. Especially for women with dense breasts, 3D technology should be considered, as traditional palpation and 2D mammography can miss the diagnosis. I am now encouraging all my female friends of the right age to have regular checkups and sharing my personal experience to alleviate their fears. Breast health should not be a taboo topic, but an important part of women's self-care.

Resource Sharing: Breast Cancer Information and Support Groups

Finally, we would like to share with you some useful resources on breast cancer in Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation offers free seminars, support groups, and hotline services. HA's Cancer Online Resource Center provides detailed information on breast cancer prevention and treatment. Some diagnostic imaging centers for women also offer health education workshops. There are also a number of breast cancer survivor groups in Hong Kong, such as Fellow Travelers and Pink Revolution, which provide psychological support and practical advice to patients and their families. Here are some useful ways to get in touch:

• Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation Hotline: 2525 6033
• Website of the Central Committee on Cancer Services of Hospital Authorities: www.ha.org.hk/cancer
• Hong Kong Women's Diagnostic Imaging Centre appointment phone: Different districts have different lines

I hope that by sharing my experience, more women will be able to approach their breast exams with a more relaxed feeling. Remember that taking care of your health is always the right choice, and in the process you are not alone. Hong Kong's healthcare system has ample resources and a support network to detect and treat breast diseases early and effectively.

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