What is a Mammogram?

Mammography is a type of imaging that uses a low-dose X-ray system for examining the breasts. Mammography plays an important part in early detection of breast cancers be cause it can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. Current guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the American Cancer Society, the American Medical Association and the American College of Radiology recommend screening mammography every year for women beginning at age 40.

How should I prepare for the procedure?
You should wear a two-piece outfit. You will be asked to remove all clothing above the waist and you will be given a gown that opens in the front.

Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under your arms or on your breasts the day of the exam. These can appear on the mammogram as calcium spots.
Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist performing the exam.
Inform technologist of any types of surgeries performed on your breasts.
If possible, obtain prior mammograms at the time of the current exam or tell us where previous mammograms were performed.

What will I experience during my mammogram?
You will feel pressure on the breast as it is squeezed by the compressor. Some women with sensitive or tender breasts might experience discomfort. If this is the case, schedule the procedure when your breasts are least tender. You can help reduce some discomfort by cutting your intake of caffeine for two weeks before your exam. The technologist will apply compression in gradations. Inform the technologist if pain occurs as compression is increased. If discomfort is significant, less compression will be used. Women that have had breast augmentation (implants) still need to have mammograms. The procedure is performed a little differently. The technologist will perform images of the breasts with the implant in view. These pictures are taken with only enough compression to hold the breast still in order to eliminate motion. After these images are reviewed, the technologist will perform the same pictures, but the implant is pushed back to image breast tissue only. Breast compression is necessary to:

Even out the breast thickness so that all of the tissue can be visualized.
Spread out the breast tissue so that small abnormalities won't be obscured by overlying breast tissue.
Hold the breast still to eliminate blurriness caused by motion.

Last updated January 22, 2008