What to expect when you have a mammogram

What to expect when you have a mammogram

· To have a mammogram you must undress above the waist. The facility will give you
a wrap to wear.
· A technologist will be there to position your breasts for the mammogram. Most
technologists are women. You and the technologist are the only ones in the room
during the mammogram.
· To get a high-quality mammogram picture with excellent image quality, it is
necessary to flatten the breast slightly. The technologist places the breast on the
mammogram machine's lower plate, which is made of metal and has a drawer to hold
the x-ray film or the camera to produce a digital image. The upper plate, made of
plastic, is lowered to compress the breast for a few seconds while the technician takes
a picture.
· The whole procedure takes about 20 minutes. The actual breast compression only
lasts a few seconds.
· You will feel some discomfort when your breasts are compressed, and for some
women compression can be painful. Try not to schedule a mammogram when your
breasts are likely to be tender, as they can be just before or during your period.
· All mammogram facilities are now required to send your results to you within 30
days. Generally, you will be contacted within 5 working days if there is a problem
with the mammogram.
· Being called back for more testing does not mean that you have cancer. In fact, less
than 10% of women who are called back for more tests are found to have breast
cancer. Being called back occurs fairly often, and it usually just means an additional
image or an ultrasound needs to be done to look at an area more clearly. This is more
common for first mammograms (or when there is no previous mammogram to look
at) and in mammograms done in women before menopause. It may be slightly less
common for digital mammograms.
· Of every 1,000 mammograms, only 2 to 4 lead to a diagnosis of cancer.
If you are a woman aged 40 or over, you should get a mammogram every year. You can
schedule the next one while you're at the facility and/or request a reminder.

Tips for having a mammogram

The following are useful suggestions for making sure that you will receive a quality
mammogram:

· If it is not posted visibly near the receptionist's desk, ask to see the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) certificate that is issued to all facilities that offer
mammography. The FDA requires that all facilities meet high professional standards
of safety and quality in order to be a provider of mammography services. A facility
may not provide mammography without certification.
· Use a facility that either specializes in mammography or does many mammograms a
day.
· If you are satisfied that the facility is of high quality, continue to go there on a regular
basis so that your mammograms can be compared from year to year.
· If you are going to a facility for the first time, bring a list of the places, dates of
mammograms, biopsies, or other breast treatments you have had before.
· If you have had mammograms at another facility, you should make every attempt to
get those mammograms to bring with you to the new facility (or have them sent there)
so that they can be compared to the new ones.
· On the day of the exam don't wear deodorant or antiperspirant. Some of these contain
substances that can interfere with the reading of the mammogram by appearing on the
x-ray film as white spots.
· You may find it easier to wear a skirt or pants, so that you'll only need to remove your
blouse for the exam.
· Schedule your mammogram when your breasts are not tender or swollen to help
reduce discomfort and to ensure a good picture. Try to avoid the week just before
your period.
· Always describe any breast symptoms or problems that you are having to the
technologist who is doing the mammogram. Be prepared to describe any medical
history that could affect your breast cancer risk — such as surgery, hormone use, or
family or personal history of breast cancer. Discuss any new findings or problems in
your breasts with your doctor or nurse before having a mammogram.
· If you do not hear from your doctor within 10 days, do not assume that your
mammogram was normal—call your doctor or the facility.