If you have a mammogram coming up, especially your first one, a little uncertainty is normal. The good news is that a screening mammogram is quick, straightforward, and one of the most important steps you can take to find breast cancer early, when treatment is most successful. Here is exactly what to expect during a mammogram, from how to prepare to when you will get your results.
Who needs a mammogram, and when?
Most women at average risk should start getting screening mammograms at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, your provider may recommend starting earlier. A screening mammogram is for women without symptoms, while a diagnostic mammogram is used to take a closer look when there is a specific concern, such as a new lump or breast changes. If you notice any breast symptoms, tell your healthcare provider, since that may change which type of exam you need.
How to prepare for your mammogram
Preparing for a mammogram takes just a few simple steps:
- Time it with your cycle. If you still menstruate, schedule your mammogram for about one week after your menstrual period, when your breasts are least likely to be tender.
- Skip deodorant and lotions. On the day of your exam, avoid wearing deodorant, antiperspirant, powders, perfumes, or lotions on your chest and underarms. These products can show up as white spots on the images and can be mistaken for an abnormality.
- Leave off jewelry and piercings. Skip necklaces on exam day and remove any nipple piercings, since metal can interfere with the images.
- Wear a two-piece outfit. You will need to undress from the waist up, so a two-piece outfit lets you keep your pants or skirt on and simply remove your top. You will be given a gown to wear.
- Bring your history. If this is not your first mammogram and you are new to our facility, bring or have your previous mammograms and records sent over so the radiologist can compare them with your current images.
- Share key information. Let the facility know if you have breast implants, breast symptoms, a family history of breast cancer, or if there is any chance you could be pregnant. If you are breastfeeding, nursing or pumping just before the exam can make it more comfortable.
What to expect during the exam
When you arrive, you will check in and change into a gown. A mammography technologist, who is specially trained to perform the exam, will take you into the exam room and explain each step. Only you and the technologist will be in the room. The technologist will position one breast at a time on a flat platform, and a plastic upper plate then gently lowers to compress the breast for a few seconds while the image is captured.
Compression is the part most women wonder about. It flattens the breast tissue so the X-ray can capture a clear, high quality picture using the lowest radiation needed, and it holds the tissue still to avoid blur. Each compression lasts only about 10 to 15 seconds. The technologist typically takes two views of each breast from different angles, and will reposition you between images. If your facility uses 3D mammography, also called digital breast tomosynthesis, the machine moves in a small arc to capture multiple images, and you may be asked to hold your breath for a moment.
Does a mammogram hurt?
Most women find a mammogram uncomfortable rather than painful, and any discomfort is brief. Because compression lasts only seconds, the pressure eases quickly. If you have sensitive breasts, scheduling after your period helps, and you can ask the technologist to adjust the pressure or pause if you need a moment. Relaxing your shoulders and breathing normally also helps. Tell the technologist if you feel sharp pain, or if you have trouble standing or any mobility concerns, and they will accommodate you.
How long does a mammogram take?
The mammogram itself is quick. The actual imaging usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes. When you add check-in, changing, and positioning, the entire appointment typically takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Plan to be in and out in under an hour.
What about your first mammogram?
Your first mammogram works exactly the same way as any other, and it establishes a baseline that future mammograms are compared against. That baseline is valuable, because comparing images over time helps your radiologist spot subtle changes early. It is normal to feel a little nervous beforehand, but most women are surprised by how fast and simple the exam turns out to be.
Getting your results
After your mammogram, a radiologist reviews your images and sends a report to your healthcare provider. You will typically receive your results within about 10 days, and facilities are required to provide a results summary within 30 days. You may receive your results by phone, through a patient portal, or by mail. One important rule: if you do not hear anything within 10 days, do not assume your mammogram was normal. Call your provider or the facility to confirm.
Your report will include a BI-RADS category, a standardized score radiologists use to describe the findings, along with a note about your breast density, since facilities are required to tell you whether you have dense breast tissue. Keep in mind that a mammogram is a detection tool, not a diagnosis. Mammograms detect about 85% of breast cancers and are considered the gold standard for screening, but they cannot confirm cancer on their own. If something needs a closer look, the next step is usually additional imaging such as a breast ultrasound or MRI.
If you are called back
If you are asked to come back for additional views, try not to panic. About 10% of screening mammograms require additional imaging, yet only about 2 to 4 of every 1,000 screening mammograms lead to a breast cancer diagnosis. In other words, the large majority of callbacks are not cancer. They often happen simply because the radiologist wants a clearer look at an area, which is especially common on a first mammogram when there is nothing to compare against.
Schedule your mammogram in the Triangle
Scheduling your mammogram is a simple, proactive step for your breast health. A screening mammogram does not require a physician order for most women at average risk, so you can book directly with our team. If you have breast symptoms or specific concerns, talk with your provider about whether you need a diagnostic exam.
To schedule, visit raleighrad.com/schedule or call 919-781-1437. Raleigh Radiology offers mammography at convenient locations across the Triangle area.