Mammography is done for women who have had previous breast cancer to make sure there is no recurrence of cancer in the breast from which the original tumour was removed and also no sign of a new cancer in the other breast.

There is no absolute scientific evidence to say precisely how often the test should be carried out but the current recommendations in the UK advise that it should be done at least once every two years but not more than once a year.

The risk of further problems developing reduces over time and so it is recommended that after five years mammograms are only repeated once every two years.

Although it is understandable to be anxious after having had a breast cancer, your surgeon's suggestion of a repeat mammogram in eighteen months is very reasonable.