Breast Health

During the consultation, we discuss your symptoms, risk factors, and family history, and perform a clinical examination of the breasts and underarm (axillary) areas.

When should you see a mammologist?

Book an appointment if you: 

• Have noticed a lump, hardening, or another new change in your breast.
• Have breast pain, swelling, redness, or persistent tenderness.
• Have bloody or clear nipple discharge.
• Have noticed nipple inversion or other nipple changes.
• Have a family history of breast cancer and would like a risk assessment.
• Would like information about personalized breast cancer prevention and to undergo Antegenes genetic testing.

A mammologist consultation is a private service and does not require a referral. If necessary, we will refer you for additional examinations, explain the results, create a follow-up plan, or help initiate treatment.

The cost of any additional investigations will be added to the consultation fee.

Men with breast-related concerns are also welcome.

You can have your breast health evaluated. A midwife performs an initial examination and, if necessary, refers you for further investigations or to a consultation with a breast specialist (mammologist).

When should you come for a breast examination?

You should book an appointment if you:

• have noticed a lump in the breast or armpit, thickening of the skin, or skin dimpling;
• have noticed changes in the breast skin or nipple discharge;
• have observed changes in breast shape, size, or skin appearance;
• would like a general breast health check-up;
• would like information about personalized breast cancer prevention and the Antegenes test.

The breast clinic is available both as a publicly funded service (via the Estonian Health Insurance Fund) and as a self-paid service. In the case of a self-paid visit, additional examination costs may apply in addition to the consultation fee. A referral is not required.

Men with breast-related complaints are also welcome.

Mammography is an X-ray examination of the breasts that uses ionizing radiation and allows very early detection of changes in breast tissue. It enables the detection of breast cancer at an early stage.

Mammography is mainly performed in women aged 40 and older, but it may also be used in the following cases:

• in men, if there is a breast lump, pain, or nipple discharge;
• in younger women with an increased hereditary risk of breast cancer;
• in patients who have had breast cancer, for follow-up after treatment;
• in patients receiving hormone replacement therapy if breast changes or symptoms occur.

When should you contact us for a mammography examination?

• you have a high risk of breast cancer;
• you have breast implants;
• you have a palpable lump in the breast;
• you have nipple discharge and/or redness in the breast area.

Important information

• A referral is required for the examination.

• Mammography can be performed at any age if a doctor suspects a tumor.
• The examination may be slightly uncomfortable but is not painful and takes only a few minutes.

A breast MRI is a radiation-free imaging examination that produces highly detailed, layer-by-layer images of the breast tissue. It helps detect changes that may not always be visible with other imaging methods.

When is a breast MRI recommended?

• when standard imaging does not provide sufficient information;
• if you have a high risk of developing breast cancer;
• if mammography or ultrasound results are unclear and require further clarification;
• to evaluate breast implants, for example in case of suspected leakage or rupture;
• for more precise assessment of the extent and structure of breast changes;
• for follow-up after treatment or to monitor recurrence..

What should you know about breast MRI?

• The examination takes approximately 30 minutes.
• You may eat and drink before the procedure.
• The images are interpreted by a breast radiology specialist.
• Results are usually available within 5–7 working days.

A breast ultrasound (US) helps assess the structure of the breasts and detect nodular changes, cysts, or inflammation that may not be palpable by hand. The examination is suitable for women of all ages, but it is especially useful for younger women, for whom mammography is not the first-choice method due to dense breast tissue.

Why is a breast ultrasound performed?

A breast ultrasound may be needed if you:

• have noticed a firm area, lump, or indentation in the breast;
• need evaluation of nipple discharge or skin changes;
• are being assessed for breast inflammation;
• wish to have a preventive breast examination;
• are planning breast surgery;

• need evaluation of issues related to breast implants;
• equire follow-up after breast surgery or treatment.

What should you know about a breast ultrasound?

• The examination is also suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• It is also suitable for men.
• You may eat and drink before the examination.

If you wish, you can undergo a polygenic risk score (PRS) test for breast cancer, which aims to assess your individual risk level of developing breast cancer.

The test identifies your genetic predisposition to developing cancer. Based on the test results, we will create a personalised monitoring programme that includes recommended examinations and health behaviour guidance. If your risk is high, you can start the nationally funded breast cancer screening programme earlier.

When should you contact us?

• You would like to assess your personal genetic risk level.
• You would like to receive a personalised prevention plan based on your results.
• There have been cases of cancer at a young age in your family.

What should you know about breast cancer prevention?

• If your risk is high, you can start free screening examinations earlier.
• The test is performed using a saliva sample.
• Recommended from the age of 30; the test is performed only once.
• You will receive your results within 4–6 weeks.
• The results are visible to you and your doctors in the Health Portal (Terviseportaal).

Breast cancer screening is funded by the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (Tervisekassa) and is free of charge for both insured and uninsured women who belong to the invited age groups. If you are in the target group, you do not need to wait for a separate invitation.

Who is invited to screening in 2026?

• All women born in:
  1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1980, and 1982.
• As part of prevention, from the age of 35 it is possible to participate in early breast cancer screening funded by Tervisekassa. To be eligible, you must have previously taken a polygenic risk score (PRS) test for breast cancer at your own expense, which has shown an increased risk level. A physician who has evaluated your PRS result will determine the indication for mammography and may issue a referral for screening.

Why come to breast cancer screening with us?

You should come to us for screening if:

• you belong to the official screening target group;
• you have an increased polygenic risk score (PRS) and wish to participate in early breast cancer screening funded by Tervisekassa;
• you have dense breast tissue or breast implants;
• you want a more comfortable and less painful examination;
• you value an effective examination with reduced radiation exposure.

We cooperate with the North Estonia Medical Centre (Põhja-Eesti Regionaalhaigla), whose breast radiologists interpret the results and refer you for additional examinations if necessary.

What should you know about breast cancer screening?

• If you are in the screening target group, you do not need to wait for a separate invitation.
• If you are in the high-risk PRS group, the referral is issued by the physician who ordered the PRS test.
• The examination is performed by trained screening technicians.
• The results are interpreted by two breast radiologists.
• The results are available in your electronic health record, and if necessary, you will be invited for follow-up examinations.