Women’s Imaging
Specialist Imaging for Women
At Harbour Radiology, we offer comprehensive and specialised women's imaging services tailored to meet the unique healthcare needs of women. Our team of Radiologists are highly skilled and experienced in women’s imaging, continuously enhancing their expertise through ongoing professional development programs. We collaborate closely with referring practitioners to deliver expert, safe, accurate, and personalised care to each patient.
Breast Imaging
Regular breast examinations, including 3D mammograms starting at age 40, are essential for women’s health. In addition to routine screening, your doctor may refer you for various breast imaging procedures for several reasons, including:
• Identifying lumps or abnormalities in breast tissue or the nipple region
• Diagnosing and monitoring breast cancer and tumours
• Evaluating the integrity of breast implants
We employ a diverse range of diagnostic imaging and interventional procedures, often combining multiple examinations for precise diagnosis. Our breast scan services include:
• Digital Mammography
• 3D Tomosynthesis
• Ultrasound
• Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) and Core Biopsy
Gynecology and Pelvic Imaging
Gynecological and pelvic imaging plays a crucial role in women’s healthcare, serving various diagnostic purposes. Your doctor may request these examinations for reasons such as:
• Pelvic Ultrasound: External assessment of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
• Transvaginal Ultrasound: Internal assessment of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
For comprehensive pregnancy ultrasound services, please refer to our Obstetric and Pregnancy Ultrasound page.
Experience the highest quality of care with our women’s imaging services at Harbour Radiology. Schedule your appointment today to receive expert and compassionate care tailored to your unique needs.
Our Breast Screening Mission
At Harbour Radiology, our team passionately advocates for the Zero Deaths vision from the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in Australia. One in 7 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime and over 9 people per day die from breast cancer in Australia.
Early detection is the best way to increase survival rates. At Harbour, we strive to provide a safe, comfortable and compassionate experience for all our patients undergoing any form of breast imaging with us.
The mammography procedure can be quite daunting or anxiety-inducing, sometimes as a result of poor past experiences. Our highly trained staff ensure you are as comfortable as possible throughout your procedure.
We endeavour to provide a positive experience for you to alleviate the stress of breast screening.
Why choose Harbour Radiology for your Breast Screening?
Our breast screening service provides a two-part scan: we complete a 3D Mammogram first (for patients without breast implants) to assess the whole breast (usually both) and one of our subspeciality trained Radiologists looks at these images straight away to assess if any extra images are needed and to identify any regions of interest for the Ultrasound.
One of our highly trained technicians takes you into the Ultrasound room and completes a comprehensive full breast scan including any extra images or regions of interest our Radiologist has identified. If a patient has had breast implants or a history of breast surgery we may opt to complete the Ultrasound first to ensure the Mammogram will not interfere with the implants or surgical remnants.
This unique breast screening service is tailored to each patient to ensure you can leave the practice with high-quality images, checked by our Radiologists, which ensures we can minimise the amount of discomfort and rescreening. Your report is provided to your referring practitioner for ongoing management.
More information: 3D Mammography/Tomosynthesis
I had an ultrasound, mammogram and OPG. All staff were caring, kind and reassuring. I would recommend this clinic to my closest friends. All three scans were years overdue and I had a horrendous mammogram four years earlier with significant injuries caused by technician at another provider. My GP promised it would be different at this clinic and it was. Extraordinary gentle empathetic treatment of a patient with such positive outcomes. Thank you
- C D
How much does Breast Screening cost?
As we offer a premium comprehensive breast screening service the scan can incur a $90 gap. Please contact your closest Harbour Radiology to check as some of our practices are able to provide bulk-billing breast imaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a female technician to do women's imaging scans?
Absolutely! All Mammograms/Tomosynthesis scans in Australia are conducted by a female technician. However, if you would prefer a female Sonographer to complete your Ultrasound, please let our staff know when booking and we will accommodate your request.
Can I have a chaperone, family, friend or partner with me during the breast scan?
Any scans under Ultrasound, you are welcome to have someone with you in the room during the scan. For any scans that have radiation such as Mammography they will need to wait in the reception area.
How much do Women's Imaging scans cost?
Standard breast imaging (Mammogram and Ultrasound for both breasts) has a $90 gap. You will need to pay around $190 upfront and Medicare rebates you $100.
For gynecological and pelvic imaging it is bulk-billed with the exception of Obstetric scans, which come with a $90 gap.
If you have any questions regarding pricing please call our reception team.
How do I book breast screening?
You will need a referral from a medical practitioner for your breast screening. We recommend seeing your GP to enquire about when your next breast screening is due and asking for a referral for our comprehensive Mammogram and Ultrasound.
Once you have a referral please call our friendly reception team on 02 9129 9229 to organise your appointment.
How painful is a Mammogram?
Mammograms require compression of the breast tissue, this can range from mildly discomforting to painful. We endeavour to provide a positive experience during this procedure and if you require breaks or for the exam to stop please let your technician know. We understand that this procedure can cause a lot of discomfort and we attempt to minimise this through our 3D Mammogram machines which are faster and use less compression time. If you are anxious or in discomfort at all during your scan please let our staff know.
What is the difference between a Mammogram and Ultrasound?
All mammograms use ionising radiation to obtain a unique type of x-ray image. Our 3D mammography uses these rays to obtain a 3D picture of the breast. Ultrasound uses sound waves (no radiation) to image the breast tissue. Each one images different pathologies and doing them in isolation may not completely exclude all breast masses, but combined they provide a more comprehensive view of the breast tissue.
How to prepare for breast imaging
We recommend for any breast scans (Mammography or Ultrasound) that you do not apply any deodorant or powders to the under arm, upper arm or chest area as this can cause some irritation by the machine.
How to prepare for pelvic or gynecological imaging
For pelvic and gynecological imaging the preparation usually requires you to empty your bladder 1.5hrs prior to the appointment, drink 1 liter of water immediately after emptying the bladder and hold that in for at least 1 hour prior to coming in.
Please do ask our friendly reception staff for further clarification on preparation for any pelvic and gynecological imaging.